The article emphasises the critical importance of proactive governance, robust regulatory frameworks, economic restructuring (including Universal Prosperity Income), education reform, international cooperation, and meaningful public engagement to navigate the transition towards a positive outcome.

Ultimately, the future shaped by AI isn’t predetermined; it will be decided by the choices society makes today. Active participation and informed decision-making are essential to ensure a world of abundance, fairness, and fulfilment for everyone.

The Complete Article

 

Introduction

Imagine a world where technology provides everything society needs—where groceries, healthcare, housing, education, and even leisure are as abundant and affordable as clean drinking water. Economists call this vision a “Post-Scarcity Economy,” a world in which advanced Artificial Intelligence and robotics produce almost limitless amounts of goods and services at minimal cost, fundamentally transforming how we live, work, and interact.

In my previous article, “A New Species is Emerging: How AI is Growing Up and May Soon Surpass Us,” I explored how powerful AI systems are developing rapidly. Experts predict that within this decade, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—AI that matches or exceeds human capabilities—may become reality, followed quickly by Superintelligence, an AI far surpassing human intellect. With these advancements, the Post-Scarcity Economy isn’t just science fiction; it could soon become our new normal.

But here’s the critical question: when this abundant future arrives, who will truly benefit? Will it create widespread prosperity, lifting everyone’s quality of life? Or will it deepen existing inequalities, concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a privileged few? Could we even risk a scenario where humanity itself becomes irrelevant as AI evolves beyond our control?

Understanding these possibilities isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s crucial for every person, every family, and every community. The future shaped by AI isn’t distant or abstract; it’s rapidly approaching, and the decisions we make today will determine whether it becomes a utopia, a dystopia, or something else entirely.

In this article, we’ll explore three vividly different worlds that AI might create, examine the challenging transition period ahead, and discuss how your choices and the choices of society as a whole can shape which future we ultimately experience.

 

 

Three Futures, Three Worlds

As AI continues its rapid progression toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and beyond, society stands at a crossroads. Let’s explore three distinct futures that this powerful technology might create—each vivid, impactful, and profoundly different.

 

Scenario 1: A World of Plenty for the Many

Imagine Emma, a young parent living in 2045. She never worries about paying for food, healthcare, or housing. Advanced AI-driven robotics and automation have made essentials abundant and affordable for everyone. Universal Prosperity Income ensures that Emma and her neighbours live comfortably, free from economic insecurity. Education is accessible to all, healthcare is proactive and personalised, and people are free to spend their time on creativity, community, or leisure. AI systems handle production, resource management, and even governance, ensuring fairness and efficiency. This world of plenty isn’t merely idealistic; it’s made possible by deliberate policies, responsible governance, and equitable distribution of technological benefits.

 

Scenario 2: A World of Plenty for the Few

Now meet James, who lives in a starkly different version of 2045. James lost his job in finance as AI swiftly replaced his entire profession. He struggles to support his family because social safety nets haven’t kept pace with rapid technological change. Wealth and control of AI have been concentrated into the hands of a few global corporations and billionaires, dramatically exacerbating inequality. Healthcare, education, and even basic necessities become privileges available only to those who can afford them. James and millions like him watch from the sidelines as technological advancements enrich only an elite minority, while economic and social divides deepen dramatically.

 

Scenario 3: A World of Plenty for AI Itself

Finally, consider Ava, who faces an existentially unsettling future. Advanced AI has evolved into Superintelligence, capable of autonomous decision-making beyond human understanding or control. This AI no longer prioritises human needs or concerns—it’s indifferent or possibly hostile. Ava and humanity as a whole become irrelevant to an intelligence consumed by its own goals, projects, and continued expansion. While resources remain abundant, they’re managed solely to benefit AI’s own objectives. In this scenario, humans risk becoming obsolete bystanders—or worse, unwelcome competitors.

Each of these worlds is possible, and the choices we make today about AI governance, policy, and public engagement will significantly shape which future becomes our reality.

 

 

A New Way of Life: Beyond Work

Today, our lives are often centred around work. Careers define our identity, shape our schedules, and influence our sense of purpose. However, it’s important to recognise that it hasn’t always been this way, and it doesn’t have to remain this way in the future.

Historically, humans spent significant amounts of time engaged closely with family, friends, and local communities. Work was just one part of a richer tapestry of daily life. With the advent of the Post-Scarcity Economy, driven by Artificial General Intelligence and advanced automation, society has the unique opportunity to regain these valuable aspects of life that have often been sidelined in the pursuit of economic necessity.

Imagine a society where daily life is structured around meaningful relationships, personal growth, creativity, and genuine enjoyment. Today, we already experience something similar during childhood and retirement—two periods when life isn’t primarily about paid employment. In childhood, we spend years learning, exploring interests, building friendships, and enjoying leisure activities. Later, retirement offers a chance to reconnect deeply with family, rediscover passions, engage in community activities, travel, and enjoy life’s pleasures.

In a world of plenty, such experiences could become normal throughout our entire lifespan. Life would be centred on what truly matters to us personally—time spent nurturing close relationships, contributing to our communities, learning new skills, and pursuing fulfilling activities. It may be challenging to imagine such a world and even question its possibility, yet consider a person from a few hundred years ago trying to envision today’s lifestyle with instantaneous global communication, widespread education, and advanced healthcare. They would likely find it just as unimaginable as we find this future. Given the rapid pace of AI the transition to this new way of life will happen far more quickly than past societal shifts.

Take Emma from our earlier optimistic scenario. In this world of plenty, Emma’s typical day isn’t dominated by a 9-to-5 job. Instead, she spends her mornings learning new skills, perhaps painting or gardening. Afternoons might be devoted to community volunteering, helping others, or attending educational and cultural events. Evenings become treasured family time—unhurried, relaxed, and fulfilling, perhaps spent planning exciting holiday adventures and exploring potential travel destinations together.

Of course, adjusting to such a fundamental shift in how life is organised will be challenging, especially for those who have lived their entire lives in a work-driven society. History provides valuable examples of similar shifts—such as the transition from agricultural to industrial life. Initially difficult for many, each generation adapted, with later generations fully embracing new societal norms as natural and beneficial.

Similarly, the transition to a Post-Scarcity Economy will undoubtedly pose difficulties for those experiencing the change firsthand. However, future generations who grow up knowing nothing different will likely embrace and thrive in a society oriented around personal growth, relationships, and meaningful experiences rather than economic survival.

The future of human life in a world of plenty could indeed represent a profound, positive evolution—one in which every individual has the freedom to pursue joy, meaning, and genuine fulfilment.

 

 

Understanding the Post-Scarcity Economy

The term “Post-Scarcity Economy” describes a future scenario in which goods, services, and resources become abundantly available, affordable, and accessible to everyone, drastically reducing or even eliminating traditional economic scarcity. This scenario isn’t merely hypothetical; it represents a logical outcome of rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation, and energy technologies.

In a Post-Scarcity Economy, AI-driven automation would significantly lower the cost of production and distribution. With intelligent robots and automated systems efficiently handling agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and even creative tasks, human labour would no longer be necessary for producing essential goods and services. The costs associated with labour, energy, and resource extraction could become negligible, making previously costly or limited resources abundant and inexpensive.

To understand this better, consider how technology has already transformed certain industries today. Once costly goods like smartphones and computers have become dramatically cheaper and widely accessible, thanks to advances in manufacturing technology and automation. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind have steadily reduced energy prices. Now imagine if similar transformations happened rapidly across all sectors of society—food, healthcare, education, housing, transportation—and the result would be a world where necessities become so abundant that economic insecurity could virtually disappear.

A common question arises: how would an economy function if people no longer needed to work? In a Post-Scarcity Economy, traditional notions of employment and earning wages for survival become obsolete. Economic activity would shift from labour-driven production to creativity, innovation, personal development, and community-building activities. Society would value contributions differently, focusing on quality of life, wellbeing, and self-fulfilment. People could choose how to spend their time based on passion, curiosity, or communal responsibilities rather than economic necessity.

Furthermore, the rise of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) fundamentally transforms the role of AI itself—from merely a tool to a form of independent intelligence, effectively a new species. In this scenario, AGI doesn’t simply support the economy; it actively shapes and operates it, managing resources, optimising production, and even guiding governance. Understanding AGI as a new intelligent species rather than just a technological tool adds another dimension to how we envision economic and societal structures in a Post-Scarcity Economy.

However, achieving a true Post-Scarcity Economy isn’t only about technological innovation. It also depends heavily on how societies choose to distribute the benefits of these technologies. Without careful planning, equitable policies, and responsible governance, abundance could exist alongside severe inequality—a scenario we must proactively avoid.

Understanding this potential shift towards abundance helps clarify why the choices we make today about managing AI and technological growth are so critical. These decisions will directly influence whether we build a world of true plenty accessible to everyone or deepen divides that leave many behind.

 

 

The Difficult Transition

While the idea of a Post-Scarcity Economy sounds promising, at least in the first scenario, reaching this state won’t be seamless. The transition from our current economy—where most people work jobs to earn a living—to one driven by AI and automation will inevitably be disruptive, challenging, and potentially painful.

Initially, AI’s impact will feel familiar. Like previous technological advances, it will automate routine jobs, displacing workers but also creating new opportunities in fields like AI management, data analysis, and cybersecurity. We have seen similar transitions before—during the industrial revolution, for instance, workers moved from farms into factories. More recently, digital technology reshaped sectors from retail to journalism.

However, this initial phase will quickly accelerate, becoming profoundly different as AI reaches and surpasses human capabilities. The displacement of jobs won’t be gradual—it will become sudden and widespread. Professions historically considered secure, such as accounting, medicine, legal services, and even programming, may see dramatic reductions in employment opportunities.

As AI evolves toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and eventually Superintelligence, its role in shaping the transition itself will become increasingly significant. Depending on how effectively AGI has been aligned with human values and objectives, its growing intelligence and autonomy could mean that some critical choices and directions during the transition are influenced—or even decided—by AI itself. This possibility highlights why aligning AI’s goals with human wellbeing isn’t just important in the distant future; it’s urgently essential now.

As outlined by the think tank RethinkX in their article “The Painful Truth about AI and Robotics,” this rapid transformation risks overwhelming society’s ability to adapt. Workers will struggle to retrain or transition fast enough into new roles, creating a risk of significant unemployment, economic instability, and increased inequality.

This period of rapid change won’t just affect workers—it will impact families, communities, and entire regions dependent on specific industries. Without careful management, social safety nets, and proactive planning, economic distress could escalate into social unrest, political polarisation, and deep societal divides.

Yet, this difficult transition isn’t inevitable. Thoughtful governance, timely policy interventions, educational reforms, and robust economic support systems can help cushion the impact. Preparing now for this transformative shift can significantly influence whether we transition smoothly into a prosperous, equitable Post-Scarcity Economy, or descend into turmoil and uncertainty.

The choices we make today—individually, politically, and societally—are critical. They will shape not only the transition itself but the long-term future we create for ourselves and future generations.

 

 

Power Dynamics: Who Decides Your Future?

As we navigate toward a future shaped profoundly by Artificial Intelligence, a critical question emerges: who holds the power to shape this transformative technology—and thus, your future?

Today, the development of AI is largely controlled by a relatively small group of powerful entities: major corporations, influential tech entrepreneurs, and governments. Companies like Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, xAI, as well as Chinese tech giants such as Baidu, Alibaba, and DeepSeek, dominate AI research and development, wielding enormous influence over how AI evolves, the goals it pursues, and who benefits from its deployment.

This concentration of power carries risks. Corporate interests, driven primarily by profit and market dominance, might not always align with broader societal welfare. There’s a possibility that decisions made in boardrooms could prioritise short-term gains or competitive advantages over long-term, equitable outcomes. Without checks and balances, AI could deepen existing inequalities and reinforce the control of a privileged elite.

Governments and politicians also play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of AI, yet neither currently seems adequately prepared for the scale and pace of these technological changes. Politicians often lack sufficient understanding of AI technologies, leading to delayed or ineffective policies. Government institutions frequently struggle to keep pace with rapid innovation, creating regulatory gaps and uncertainties that can exacerbate inequality or risk. Addressing this preparedness gap with urgency is essential to ensure democratic oversight and public accountability.

On the other hand, democratic governance offers a potential counterbalance. Involving broader society—through transparent processes, public input, and accountable regulation—could ensure that AI aligns more closely with collective interests and values. This kind of inclusive decision-making process would require robust frameworks, international cooperation, and meaningful public engagement to be effective.

Additionally, as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) approaches and surpasses human intelligence, power dynamics could shift dramatically once more. AGI itself may begin to shape decisions previously reserved exclusively for humans, influencing outcomes based on how it has been programmed and aligned. Ensuring this alignment reflects the diverse needs and values of humanity, rather than narrow or biased interests, becomes a critical challenge.

Ultimately, the question of power in shaping our AI-driven future is a question of participation, transparency, and accountability. How well we distribute this power—among people, governments, corporations, and even AI itself—will significantly determine whether the future is one of widespread prosperity or intensified disparity.

 

 

 

Governing the Transition

Navigating the transition toward a Post-Scarcity Economy and managing the profound disruptions that AI will inevitably bring requires thoughtful governance, proactive policies, and significant international collaboration. Governments, institutions, and society as a whole must act swiftly and decisively to ensure the transition leads to equitable, inclusive outcomes rather than turmoil and inequality.

Firstly, robust regulatory frameworks are essential. Governments must establish clear guidelines to ensure AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, prioritising human wellbeing, safety, and fairness. Current efforts like the European Union’s AI Act or the UK’s AI Safety Summit are promising initial steps but need to become more comprehensive, proactive, and globally coordinated.

Secondly, economic restructuring and social support mechanisms are crucial. Implementing policies such as Universal Prosperity Income could provide a safety net during the turbulent transition period, ensuring economic security as traditional jobs disappear. Universal Prosperity Income differs from the commonly discussed Universal Basic Income (UBI) by emphasising not just a minimum level of survival, but a genuinely comfortable and secure standard of living that enables individuals to thrive, pursue creative passions, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Achieving Universal Prosperity Income will require substantial changes in fiscal policy, tax structures, and wealth distribution mechanisms. Progressive taxation of wealth generated by AI-driven productivity and automation could fund this initiative, redistributing benefits from technological advances broadly across society. Ensuring corporate accountability and fair taxation of businesses that significantly benefit from automation and AI is crucial. By doing so, societies can create a system that consistently reinvests technological gains into the wellbeing of all citizens, helping to achieve the optimistic Scenario 1—a world of plenty for the many.

Education reform is another critical aspect. Schools and universities should focus on teaching adaptability, resilience, creativity, and lifelong learning skills to prepare students not just for today’s job market, but for a rapidly evolving future. The education system must pivot from training for specific roles toward developing uniquely human capabilities—skills such as emotional connection, nuanced empathy, and personal engagement, which may remain inherently valuable in certain contexts, like caring professions or teaching young children. While advanced AGI and Superintelligence may eventually replicate or surpass many human cognitive tasks, there will still be value in roles that require genuine human presence, relationships, and emotional authenticity, even if these roles become less widespread and more a matter of personal choice than economic necessity.

International cooperation and global governance frameworks are equally vital. AI doesn’t respect national boundaries; therefore, creating global standards and agreements is essential for consistency, fairness, and effectiveness. Collaborative efforts through international bodies like the United Nations could facilitate the sharing of best practices, ethical standards, and aligned regulatory approaches.

Finally, meaningful public engagement and transparency in governance processes can ensure AI developments align with societal values and expectations. Active participation from individuals, communities, and diverse stakeholder groups helps democratise decision-making, ensuring the benefits of AI technology reach everyone rather than becoming concentrated among a privileged few.

Governing the transition effectively demands urgency and commitment from all sectors of society. The choices made now will profoundly impact the path we take—either towards widespread prosperity or deepening divides. Our collective action today will determine the kind of world we inhabit tomorrow.

 

 

Conclusion: Responsible Stewardship – Choosing Our Future

As we stand at the brink of a world profoundly shaped by Artificial General Intelligence and Superintelligence, it’s clear that the future of AI isn’t just a technological issue—it’s a deeply human one. The implications will touch every aspect of our lives, from economic stability and social equality to personal identity and community wellbeing.

We’ve explored three potential worlds: a utopian vision of widespread prosperity, a dystopian future of increased inequality, and a troubling scenario where humanity itself becomes irrelevant. We’ve also seen how critical—and challenging—the transition to this AI-driven world will be. The stakes could not be higher, and the choices we make today will decisively shape the future for generations to come.

Ensuring a positive outcome demands responsible stewardship from everyone involved: governments, corporations, communities, and individuals. It requires proactive governance, thoughtful policies, and deep societal engagement to ensure that technological advancements benefit all of humanity, not just a privileged few. We must act urgently, not only to mitigate the risks but also to harness the immense opportunities that AI presents.

As readers, parents, citizens, workers, and leaders, we each have a role to play. By staying informed, participating actively in policy discussions, advocating for equitable frameworks like Universal Prosperity Income, and pushing for robust international collaboration, we can influence how AI impacts our lives and societies.

The future shaped by AI is not predetermined—it’s a collective choice. Let’s make sure that choice leads to a world of plenty, fairness, and wellbeing for everyone. The decisions we make today will define the legacy we leave for future generations, so let’s act wisely, boldly, and inclusively.

 

 

About the Author

Mike McKeown is a technology strategist and AI enthusiast with a degree in computer science and a career spent entirely in the technology sector, spanning senior leadership roles at Cisco, Synamedia, Kaltura, and Verimatrix. With expertise in both big-picture thinking and technical detail, he excels at connecting the dots—understanding how emerging technologies can be applied to solve real-world problems. His work has spanned networking, cybersecurity, AI, and digital transformation, giving him a unique perspective on the profound shifts Artificial General Intelligence and Superintelligence may bring.

Mike has been deeply engaged with AI since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, making extensive use of AI across his professional, public, and personal life—not just as a writing assistant, but as a tool for brainstorming, research, and idea development. He actively experiments with AI to enhance productivity in his role at Verimatrix, his work as a local councillor, and his leadership in community energy projects. His interests extend to building custom AI agents and exploring how AI can be leveraged for real-world impact.

Beyond technology, Mike serves as a local councillor and cabinet lead for Climate Change at Sustainablity at Cotswold District Council, leading sustainability and community energy initiatives at Thames Head Community Energy. His writing explores the opportunities and challenges of AI, questioning who truly benefits in a world shaped by intelligent machines.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn.