Retired politicians are backing a basic income pilot in Prince Edward Island. A group of former elected officials is calling for a federal–provincial partnership, arguing it’s a practical, proven way to reduce poverty and improve economic stability. zurl.co/oLvsb

Elon Musk Touts Universal Income As Remedy To AI-Driven Unemployment Musk’s comments follow rival company OpenAI’s industrial policy proposal released earlier this week that calls for an AI-backed public wealth fund.

Elon Musk says universal income may be the answer to AI-driven unemployment. He has proposed a “universal high income,” arguing that government payments could offset large-scale job losses caused by AI and robotics. zurl.co/8LNg7

Basic income vs basic services: which is the better path? A feature from Keio University explores the trade-off, contrasting direct cash payments (UBI) with expanded public services like healthcare, education, and housing support. zurl.co/t16VH

The Scottish Greens have included UBI in their manifesto, alongside free bus travel, as part of a broader vision to tackle inequality and improve access to essential services. As elections approach, basic income is becoming an increasingly popular policy. zurl.co/utQbq

WEBINAR | The Road to Basic Income Earth Network Congress 2026 Join us for a series of critical conversations leading up to the 2026 Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) Congress.

Road to BIEN 2026: global conversations on basic income are underway. A webinar series by Tamarack Institute brings together policymakers, researchers, and pilot participants to explore basic income, from national to global challenges ahead of BIEN 2026. zurl.co/vBnqQ

Democrats Have a Tax Problem. They’re Solving It Wrong. Cory Booker and other Democrats want to expand the standard deduction. A $375/mo Standard Tax Credit would put $4,500 a year in every American's pocket—and reach those deductions leave behind

''Taxes are not the enemy. Taxes serve vital functions. The question should never be whether to tax, but what to tax and how to make sure the prosperity we create together actually reaches the people who create it.'' Scott Santens zurl.co/8iISO

Basic income is moving into mainstream policy discussions. At Colorado SunFest 2026, on May 1st, a panel on “Basic Income Programs in Denver and Beyond” will explore evidence from pilots, including impacts on housing instability and economic security. zurl.co/BwkqF

Guaranteed income helps people leaving prison rebuild their lives. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, research shows that unconditional cash improves employment, housing stability, and mental health, lowers recidivism and saves taxpayers money. zurl.co/pRnw7

Who benefits from AI's massive wealth? This analysis argues that without intervention, AI gains will concentrate among asset owners, but policies such as AI taxes, public wealth funds, and basic income could help distribute that wealth more equitably zurl.co/OsYN4

2 days left to submit your proposal for the #BIEN2026 Congress. If your work touches basic
income, income security, or social policy, this is your stage. April 15 deadline zurl.co/mgy6Q

Scottish Labour is proposing a basic income-style boost for artists. Anas Sarwar has pledged £30m to top up incomes for artists to a living wage, supporting up to 1,000 creatives in a pilot inspired by Ireland’s model. zurl.co/XQ8EJ

Two weeks left to submit your proposal for the #BIEN2026 Congress in Toronto. Share your research, your practice, or your movement work; all formats welcome.

Deadline is April 15.

Don’t wait zurl.co/PqTuf

The Next Moonshot- Universal Basic Income. A BIEN article by Scott Santens compares UBI to space missions like Artemis II, arguing that if humanity can achieve extraordinary feats, ending poverty should be equally possible. zurl.co/W0Lq2

The Call for Proposals for the 25th BIEN Congress is now open! Join us August 20–22, 2026, in
Toronto for Basic Income in a Time of Polycrisis. We welcome research, advocacy, creative formats,
and more. Deadline: April 15. Submit today zurl.co/UIF1W

It’s Time to Revisit Universal Basic Income Especially for artists. It offers the hope and stability we need.

An article in The Tyee argues UBI could provide stability and creative freedom, enabling rest, resilience, and meaningful work. UBI is framed not just as policy, but as a foundation for wellbeing and cultural production. zurl.co/7zp3R

OpenAI calls for robot taxes, a public wealth fund, and a 4-day workweek to tackle AI disruption OpenAI has some big ideas about how to deal with AI disruption

OpenAI has proposed measures like robot taxes, a public wealth fund, and even a four-day workweek to help share the gains from AI and address potential job losses. The proposals reflect growing concern that automation could reshape jobs. zurl.co/ClTqk

A U.S. study found cash payments didn’t significantly increase exits from homelessness, but recipients experienced greater stability and well-being. Most spent the money on essentials like food, transport, and healthcare, challenging assumptions on misuse.zurl.co/unAUQ

Unconditional - Documentary screening and discussion about implications for research, policy and practice Join us for a lunchtime online screening of Unconditional, a 30 minute documentary exploring what becomes possible when income security is treated as a foundation for dignity rather than something...

What happens when income is unconditional? A 30-minute documentary, Unconditional, explores how guaranteed income can support dignity and wellbeing—followed by a discussion on implications for research, policy, and practice. zurl.co/T4PcO

Future of Basic Income Debated as All-Party Report is Tabled The NDP has tabled a document signed by all three parties urging the federal government to adopt a standard ba...

Basic income is gaining cross-party political attention in Canada. An all-party report in Newfoundland and Labrador is urging the federal government to explore a basic income pilot, alongside reforms to existing benefits. zurl.co/ETZBe

An article in The University Times highlights how Ireland’s scheme, offering €325/week, gives emerging writers financial stability, time, and the confidence to pursue their craft. Beyond income, it enables experimentation, well-being, and creativity. zurl.co/PZcxk

BBC Audio | The Inquiry | Why is basic income being debated? Ireland’s new permanent government cash transfer scheme is being watched globally

Listen to a BBC podcast featuring BIEN’s Catarina Neves and Jurgen De Wispelaere highlighting key drivers- rising AI disruption, new pilot programs, and growing global policy interest. zurl.co/MMOYh

Salem’s $500/month guaranteed income pilot shows strong community impact. The “Uplift Salem” program provided unconditional cash to 100 residents; participants reported improved financial stability, reduced stress, and better ability to meet basic needs. zurl.co/ZQONK

Basic income’s appeal today is similar to its roots in 18th-century England – it’s a way to compensate people for a common good taken for private gain Today’s basic income proponents say cash payments would be good for everyone. In the 1790s, the idea’s inventor argued something else: It was owed to everyone.

Basic income debates today reflect a much older idea. An analysis in The Conversation traces UBI back to 18th-century England, where early proposals aimed to compensate people after shared resources were enclosed and privatised. zurl.co/jxjuo

A conservation basic income involves making regular, no-strings payments to people living in important conservation areas. The payments would enable local conservation efforts and help communities protect their land rather than sell or exploit it. zurl.co/AWJb2

Harvard professor explains the basics of universal basic income In this video, Professor Akee discusses the basics of universal basic income, what his review of Tribal casino’s UBI payments found, and common arguments against this program.

What is Universal Basic Income, and why is it gaining attention? A Harvard explainer breaks it down as a regular, unconditional cash payment to all, designed to provide a basic level of economic security and simplify social protection systems. zurl.co/v3svI

As the risk of job displacement rises, what happens if new work doesn’t replace what’s lost? This piece revisits Universal Basic Income as a policy grounded in ideas like land value taxation and financial transaction taxes to fund a “citizen’s dividend.” zurl.co/7i4cC

On March 31st, 2026, an artist, a politician and a Basic Income activist from "Netzwerk Grundeinkommen" (network BI) will talk about a motion to bring basic income for artists in Germany. Join the debate as our BIEN EC member, Olaf Michael Ostertag, hosts the event.

The first basic income for workers impacted by AI has begun sending out $1,000 monthly payments The AI Dividend is distributing $1,000 a month for a year, no strings attached, to eligible workers.

A pilot in the U.S. is providing $1,000/month in unconditional cash to workers impacted by AI-driven job disruption. “AI Dividend” program targets individuals facing income loss due to automation, exploring how direct cash support can help workers adapt. zurl.co/1cWTX

This new-to-Portland program hands pregnant women cash every month — and research says it works The Bridge Project provides 36 monthly payments to new mothers. Data show the cash helps participants find stable housing and work

A U.S. guaranteed income program that has supported nearly 4,000 pregnant women is expanding to Portland. The initiative provides unrestricted cash during pregnancy and early childhood, including a prenatal stipend and monthly payments for up to 3 years.zurl.co/QPqxw

Revisiting Nixon's "Family Assistance Plan" A good idea from a bad president

Richard Nixon’s proposed Family Assistance Plan was an early form of guaranteed income for families with children. The plan would have provided a minimum income floor with work requirements, aiming to reduce poverty while encouraging employment. zurl.co/1Tvwk