Basic income is one of several terms used to describe a system of regular and unconditional direct cash payments that maintains a minimum standard of living for all individuals in a given country or region. In recent years, a wide range of public, non-profit, and private actors have brought renewed attention to this concept—particularly its viability in the United States. In an effort to provide current and reliable evidence that can help shape this conversation, the Jain Family Institute is working with partners in government, advocacy, and academic research to develop basic income research infrastructure and demonstration projects. Our work will shed light on the feasibility and impact of this model by illustrating the economic, social, and psychological effects of basic income in both American and International communities.

The spectacular success of machine learning over the past decade has brought with it explosive growth in the use of computational decision-making tools. As these become increasingly ubiquitous, and our reliance upon them increasingly widespread, it becomes increasingly important to develop an understanding of how fairness, justice, and value considerations apply to these tools.