The article argues that in an era where artificial intelligence increasingly automates cognitive and routine tasks, economic policy must evolve — not only to support people financially, but to preserve their physical agency and meaningful engagement in the world. The author suggests that discussions around guaranteed income (such as Universal Basic Income) are incomplete if they focus solely on monetary support, because income without agency can still leave people feeling disempowered and socially disconnected. True economic resilience, the piece claims, includes opportunities for people to act, create, and contribute physically in ways that technology alone cannot replace.
A central concern is that AI’s growing capabilities — from automated driving to generative content creation — threaten many traditional forms of work that provide structure, purpose, and identity. While a guaranteed income might ensure basic material needs are met, it doesn’t inherently solve the deeper human need for purposeful activity. The article argues that physical agency — the ability to choose and perform embodied, real-world tasks — remains essential for psychological well-being and social inclusion, and that economic frameworks must protect or create spaces for such agency.
To achieve this, the author proposes linking guaranteed income initiatives with policies that sustain or create opportunities for physical engagement. This could include programs that encourage participation in community projects, sustainable agriculture, crafts and manufacturing sectors, elder care and other fields where human presence and physical interaction are indispensable. Rather than viewing the workforce as simply a pool of replaceable labour, policymakers should recognize that human agency itself has intrinsic value — a value that should not be eroded by technological shifts.
Ultimately, the article concludes that navigating the age of AI successfully requires reframing social support systems so that they uphold both material security and human agency. Financial guarantees should be accompanied by deliberate efforts to preserve and expand roles that require physical presence, embodied skills, and social interaction — ensuring people retain meaningful participation in society even as automation transforms economic structures.
