New EU report recommends Universal Basic Income for all 27 member states
The rise of robotics and new, intelligent AI automation systems that threaten Blue and White collar jobs is spurring governments around the world into action, so far a Universal Basic Income is the only idea they seem to have to dampen societal unrest and poverty.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2017) 'New EU report recommends Universal Basic Income for all 27 member states', 311 Institute, 18 January. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/new-eu-report-recommends-universal-basic-income-for-all-27-member-states/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
In a new report, commissioned in 2016 and released earlier this week by the European Union, MEPs have warned that all 27 member states must seriously consider piloting and introducing Universal Basic Income (UBI) schemes that help their societies prepare for a future packed with artificial intelligence (AI), automation and robots. A future that pessimists regard as a jobless one and that optimists regard as a "hybrid" future, where humans and machines increasingly work alongside or compete with each other to fulfil both Blue Collar and White Collar jobs.
The report, which passed by 17 votes to 2, and which was first proposed by Luxembourg's socialist MEP Mady Delvaux-Stehres, warns that preparations must be made for what it describes as the “technological revolution” currently taking place, and that the EU must put in place provisions for the “possible effects of robotics on the labour market." It also states "in the light of the possible effects on the labour market of robotics and AI a general basic income should be seriously considered by all Member States.”
The report will be put in front of the entire European Parliament this February, and also recommends that the EU adopts a new system of reporting that will let them assess the impact that "automation and robotics" are having on companies revenues “for the purpose of taxation and social security contributions.”
In layman's terms, this is so they can figure out what type of taxes they can impose on different parts of a company's automated operations, after all, if there are fewer people in work then there are fewer people paying taxes and less treasury income so something has to be taxed to pay for these new UBI schemes, and increasingly it looks like it will be the machines themeselves.
“We ask the commission to look at what kind of jobs, or more precisely what kind of tasks, will be taken over by robots," said Delvaux-Stehres, "there needs to be a discussion about whether we need to change our social security systems, and even whether we have to think about universal revenue, because if there are so many unemployed people, we need to insure that they can have a decent life. These are different scenarios that need to be studied and be prepared for.”
The report comes at a time when the idea of UBI has begun to gain momentum around the world with Canada, Finland and Scotland among the countries who have already begun trials.
What this means for your organisation
Tax may follow the machines.
The report asks the EU to track how automation and robotics affect company revenues. The stated aim is taxation and social security contributions. Fewer people in work means less tax paid, so firms with automated operations should expect closer scrutiny of that part of their business.
Tasks matter more than jobs.
Mady Delvaux-Stehres asked the commission to study which tasks, not just which jobs, robots will take over. Our data on jobs unbundling into tasks points the same way. Leaders who map work by task will be better placed to answer both regulators and staff.
Pilots are already running.
Canada, Finland and Scotland have started basic income trials. The vote passed by 17 to 2 and goes to the full Parliament in February. Our data marks job automation as act now, so planning for new costs and new workforce policy should start before rules arrive.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which tasks in our business could robots take over first?
- How would a tax on automated operations change our costs?
- What would we tell staff if basic income pilots reach our markets?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
The rise of robotics and new, intelligent AI automation systems that threaten Blue and White collar jobs is spurring governments around the world into action, so far a Universal Basic Income is the only idea they seem to have to dampen societal unrest and poverty.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on robotics and the future of your organisation.
Sources and further reading
- GetDoc.do europarl.europa.eu
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 18 January 2017. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2017). New EU report recommends Universal Basic Income for all 27 member states. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/new-eu-report-recommends-universal-basic-income-for-all-27-member-states/
You are welcome to quote this article with credit and a link to the original.