New York State Assemblymember and congressional candidate Alex Bores has unveiled a proposal for an "AI Dividend" program, aimed at preparing U.S. citizens for potential mass unemployment caused by the advancement of artificial intelligence. In a detailed post on social media platform X, Bores framed the plan as a necessary response to the "potential large-scale displacement of human labor by artificial intelligence."
The proposed program would be funded through a multi-pronged approach: a tax on AI use, the government taking equity stakes in leading AI companies, and reforms to the tax code concerning the "treatment of labor and capital." Bores emphasized that the dividend is "not a punishment for innovation — it is an insurance policy" that would activate if and when AI meaningfully displaces American workers.
Beyond direct cash payments to Americans, the plan also allocates funds for investments in "workforce transition, training and education" and for establishing oversight and safety infrastructure for AI. The proposal's future is currently tied to Bores' campaign for a seat in Congress, and its implementation hinges on his electoral success and subsequent political support.
The announcement comes amid a heated debate on AI's impact on employment. A recent Goldman Sachs report cited by Bores indicates AI adoption has led to the loss of approximately 16,000 jobs per month over the past year. High-profile tech firms like Amazon, Meta, Intel, and Microsoft have conducted layoffs reportedly linked to AI-driven efficiencies.
However, the picture is not universally dire. Morgan Stanley released a counterpoint report on April 14, arguing that AI's impact on the labor market has been "modest so far" and that historical technological shifts have often expanded employment over the long term, even as they displaced roles in the short term.
