A four-day working week in the United States and a universal basic income (UBI) for each citizen would make “all the sense in the world”, according to a noted economist and campaigner.
The comments were made by Scott Santens, CEO of the ITSA Foundation which campaigns for UBI and a former economics advisor to 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Andrew Yang.
The comments reflect those made in November 2023 by JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who predicted the next generation will “live to 100” and “probably be working three-and-a-half days a week” due to advances in artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking to Newsweek Santens said: “As overall productivity continues increasing due to computerization as it has for decades but perhaps at an even faster rate, we should all benefit, especially since it’s our collective data and public investments that made AI possible.
“I think responses like 4-day weeks and universal basic income make all the sense in the world in order to provide universal dividends in the form of time and money. Machines should literally work for all of us.”
However, Professor Janice I. Glasgow, a computing expert at Queen’s University in Canada, argued that previous advances in productivity didn’t lead to a shorter working week.
In an interview with Newsweek, she said: “Certainly in many fields, AI and technology in general allows workers to be more productive. Does that mean a shorter work week?
“For some, perhaps, as some jobs can be done more efficiently. Despite all of the advances in technology the last 50 years, the work week has not been affected.”
Economist Scott Santens told Newsweek that “4-day weeks and universal basic income make all the sense in the world in order” due to advances in AI. Economist Scott Santens told Newsweek that “4-day weeks and universal basic income make all the sense in the world in order” due to advances in AI. Newsweek Illustration/Canva
Dixon predicted a 3.5-day working week for the next generation during a November 2023 interview with Bloomberg TV, adding that AI would be “critical to our company’s future success.”
The JPMorgan Chase CEO said: “Technology has always replaced jobs Your children are going to live to 100 and not have cancer because of technology. And literally they’ll probably be working three-and-a-half days a week.”
Over the past few years, major developments have taken place in AI including the release of large language model chatbots and image generators such as ChatGPT and Midjourney. Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Optimus, the company’s humanoid robot, would be available for sale in 2026. These advances have sparked concerns the AI revolution could lead to unemployment as human abilities are reached or exceeded in more areas.
In November, Texas Senator Ted Cruz wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for an investigation into what he claimed were attempts by foreign bodies to regulate AI policy “within the United States.”
In particular, he singled out the European Union and the U.K.-based Centre for the Governance of Artificial Intelligence.
A survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted between October 21 and 24 by Talker Research found 43 percent of Americans would be uncomfortable with AI conducting job interviews, whilst only 32 percent said they would feel comfortable and 26 percent said they were unsure.
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