Yahoo Finance Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey donates $3M to UBI experiment
Twitter boss Jack Dorsey has pledged $3 million to a universal basic income initative.
The program, called Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI), is a coalition of 15 mayors across the US.
A universal basic income is, under this plan, a “monthly, cash payment given directly to individuals” that is “unconditional, with no strings attached and no work requirements”
The campaign argues that due to wealth and income inequality, Americans working two or three jobs are still unable to afford basic necessities.
It also suggests that the lack of flexibility, speed at which it can be implemented, and means that all citizens would be covered – avoiding the flaws in the current system where many people that need support cannot get it.
The plan could provide funds to seven million Americans across 14 cities, including Newark, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles, Compton, Long Beach, Pittsburgh, and Oakland.
“This is one tool to close the wealth and income gap, level systemic race and gender inequalities, and create economic security for families” Dorsey tweeted.
It is currently unclear when the plan would run, who would be eligible for payments, and how much each citizen would receive. The Independent has reached out for clarification.
The mayors’ scheme is not the only one that Dorsey has donated to. He has also donated $11.2 million to GiveDirectly, a non-profit which also works on universal basic income in Kenya and Uganda, according to Forbes.
Previously, Dorsey had also donated $5 million to Andrew Yang’s Humanity Forward non-profit.
Yang was a nominee in the race to elect a Democratic candidate to run against Donald Trump in the November election.
He was also a strong advocate for universal basic income, and suggested giving $1,000 to working Americans per month as part of a “Freedom Dividend”.
The notion of universal basic income has become an interest in Silicon Valley because many CEOs believe that the development of technology will result in massive automation and unemployment.
However, critics have argued that such a future is not guaranteed, and it is the decision of employers whether to automate systems.
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