Part 4/18:
The challenge isn’t only job loss; it’s how wealth is generated and distributed. Automation accelerates the displacement of labor, enabling increased productivity without a commensurate rise in wages, thereby decoupling growth from broad prosperity. Concepts like the Economic Agency Index (EI) quantify this shift, measuring the proportion of income from wages versus capital ownership and public transfers. Rising EI values signal a transition toward a "post-labor" economy where passive income and assets play a larger role.
This evolving landscape necessitates systemic responses. Rethinking wealth and ownership is imperative. Multiple initiatives are already exploring one core idea: broadening ownership and ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are shared.