# Safety net cue: India may need to recraft public welfare for the age of artificial intelligence

> India must rethink welfare programs as AI reshapes jobs and economy.
- Title: Safety net cue: India may need to recraft public welfare for…
- Summary: India must rethink welfare programs as AI reshapes jobs and economy. India should design AI-linked cash transfers to protect workers from job displacement by…
- Keywords: india, artificial intelligence, universal basic income, cash transfers, public welfare, job displacement, state-owned enterprises, news, Safety, net, cue, may
- Source: mint — https://livemint.com/opinion/online-views/universal-basic-income-why-india-should-put-the-idea-under-a-zoom-lens-11792590285186.html
- Author: Mint Editorial Board
- Published: 2026-10-22T02:00:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: india, artificial intelligence, universal basic income, cash transfers, public welfare, job displacement, state-owned enterprises, news
## Universal basic income concept
The general concept of a universal basic income with state monthly transfers found advocacy before ai's rise.
## Elon Musk's share pledge
Elon musk pledged to give every kid in america a single share in space x next year.
## Anthropic's public benefit fund
anthropic committed 5 percent of its shares to a public benefit fund for ai problems.
## AI job displacement risk
ai could plausibly take office jobs leading to long-term economic shifts.
## Moral hazard argument
the moral hazard argument against ubi claims it would induce laziness.
## India's cash transfer schemes
chhattisgarh offers cash transfers to women aged above 21 who are married or once were.
## Fiscal constraints for ubi
a modest monthly transfer of ₹ 1,000 to all indians above 18 below tax level would cost over ₹ 11 trillion annually.
## Key takeaway

India should design AI-linked cash transfers to protect workers from job displacement by artificial intelligence.