It pays to get fired.
If AI took your job, you may be entitled to monthly $1,000 checks under a 12-month program called AI Dividend. The project is starting with just 25 to 50 workers who have been impacted by AI, with plans to expand.
Co-led by two non-profits — AI Commons Project and What We Will — the project aims to “offer cash assistance with support tailored specifically for workers in the era of AI,” the press release reads.
The program is first-of-its-kind and will provide eligible folks $1,000 per month for six to 12 months alongside curated skill development resources. The initiative will offer those who have been displaced by AI reskilling and upskilling programs, AI training certifications, job coaching and interview support.
To apply for the cash, head to the website and fill out their form adding your job title, and choose from a dropdown bar detailing how AI has affected your work. Applicants must then submit a brief statement on how they plan to use the cash.
“The safety net needs to move at the speed of AI, and it’s already falling far behind,” said Nick Salazar, founder of the AI Commons Project. “People are losing work today. We don’t have years to study the problem first. This pilot puts cash in displaced workers’ hands and builds the evidence base for what comes next.”
AI Dividend payments are already being handed out along with support to those who enrolled. The program is also generating real data on AI-displaced workers in hopes to inform AI policy as the labor market continues to shift.
While the first payments have been issued, the next step is expanding enrollment by moving the program from a trial to a larger pool of workers.
The New York Post has contacted the program for more information on which displaced workers get chosen and full eligibility requirements but has not heard back.
The new program stokes the fears workers have of massive lay-offs as companies choose to save on labor costs by switching to AI, despite reports that AI tools are out-costing humans. According to a study from National University, a private institution in San Diego, 30% of current US jobs could be automated by 2030.
The university also found that 60% of workers will see high amounts of “task-level changes” due to AI integration. “This shift highlights the urgent need for workers to adapt through upskilling and technological proficiency,” the report said.
Jobs most vulnerable vary from clerical to customer service. For example, the California university found clerical and administrative roles, like secretaries or data entry clerks, will likely be among the first to go.
Bank tellers and cashiers could be next as they have seen a quick decline due to an increase in digital banking and self-checkout.
National University projects bank teller jobs to fall by 15% from 2023 to 2033, wiping out roughly 51,400 jobs. Meanwhile, cashier roles are expected to decline by 11%, a reduction of 353,100 jobs.
As jobs change, skillsets must also pivot. The report predicts a whopping 59% of workers will require some upskilling or reskilling by 2030, a finding consistent with the AI Dividend program’s initiative.
“Artificial intelligence is not just replacing jobs, it’s redefining them. Understanding these trends is the first step in preparing for what’s ahead,” the report said.
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