Why is basic income being debated?

Ireland has a new permanent government scheme providing regular cash transfers to 2,000 artists. The people who can access it range from circus performers to opera singers.

It follows a pilot of more than three years, which is believed to have brought a return on investment to the economy.

Big tech backs basic income schemes like this to offset the consequences AI is having on the workforce. Leading economists believe it could create a dystopian world. Nevertheless, more governments are piloting or planning to introduce schemes like this.

Our panel includes Dr Jenny Dagg, assistant lecturer, Maynooth University, Ireland; Dr Catarina Neves, postdoctoral fellow, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Daron Acemoglu, 2024 Nobel Prize winner in economics, institute professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US and Dr Jurgen De Wispelaere, acting chair of the Basic Income Earth Network.

Presenter: Charmaine Cozier

Producer: Daniel Rosney

Sound engineer: Craig Boardman

Editor: Tom Bigwood

(Photo: A customer withdraws euro bills from an ATM in Sofia. Credit: Bloomberg/Getty Images)