With AI shaking up the job market and traditional work changing fast, we might need to rethink how we get paid. One wild idea—suggested by OpenAI’s Sam Altman—is that in the future, people might not pocket cash but instead get paid in compute power. Yep, you heard that right: raw AI processing juice could become the new paycheck.
This flips our usual thinking about work, money, and what it means to be wealthy. If AI and robots take over most jobs, regular wages could fade away. Instead, having access to serious computing power might be how we measure who’s got it made. Let’s break this down and see what it could mean, plus weave in some context from related ideas floating around.
What Could “Being Paid in Compute” Look Like?
So, what happens if your salary comes in gigahertz instead of dollars? Here’s how it might play out:
- Run AI Models: You could use your compute stash to fire up AI models—think creating content, launching a side hustle, or automating stuff without dropping a fortune on tech.
- Own a Slice of the AI Economy: Compute power could be like holding stock in the AI systems running the show. As tech keeps booming, your slice might pay off big (The Great AI Wealth Reset).
- Access Exclusive AI Tools: Wealth could shift from cash to getting into premium AI services—tools that replace everything from design software to financial advisors.
- A New Kind of Money?: Compute might even turn into something we trade, like a decentralized currency where processing power gets swapped for goods or services.
How Could This Fit into an AI-Driven Economy?
If AI starts sidelining jobs left and right, governments and companies will have to figure out how to keep people in the game. Here’s a few ways this compute idea could roll out:
- Compute as a Universal Basic Asset (UBA)
Forget universal basic income in cash—how about a monthly dose of compute power? It’d let folks create value on their own terms, no 9-to-5 required. Some see this as a way to future-proof society (Future-Proofing Your Career in the Face of an AI Tsunami). - Owning AI Instead of Earning Wages
It’s like owning a chunk of an AI system—think shares in a company. If AI rakes in profits, your compute stake could grow, much like how capital works today (How AI Will Transform Capital). - Decentralized AI Markets
People might trade compute power on open platforms, similar to cloud computing today. This could spark a barter system where compute swaps for digital goodies or services—maybe even a peek at how decentralized AI could empower us (Decentralized AI: Empowering Individuals and Communities). - Work Becomes AI-Driven Entrepreneurship
Traditional jobs might fade, and instead, folks use compute to build AI-powered projects—think media, apps, or automation tools. The line between “working” and “owning AI resources” could get blurry, turning us all into mini-entrepreneurs.
Could Compute Ever Replace Money?
This might sound like sci-fi, but there’s some real-world traction here:
- Cloud computing’s already a massive economic driver.
- Companies are in a mad dash to lock down AI processing power.
- AI tools are cutting the need for human labor in big ways (The Economic Singularity: AI, Crypto, and the End of Human Labor).
If AI wipes out jobs at scale, handing out compute power could be how societies keep everyone in the loop. Big tech shifts—like the internet or crypto—have already flipped economic models in just a few decades. So, who’d control this compute stuff?
- Corporations? If big tech owns the AI infrastructure, they’d call the shots on who gets access, possibly widening the wealth gap (The Widening Wealth Chasm and AI’s Double-Edged Dance).
- Governments? Some nations might treat compute like a public utility, aiming to spread it around fairly.
- Decentralized Networks? Open-source AI could put compute in the hands of the crowd, dodging corporate or government chokeholds.
Whatever shakes out, switching from cash to compute could redefine wealth. It’s not just about money anymore—it’s about controlling the tech that runs the world (The End of Human Wealth: How AI May Render Traditional Capital Meaningless). History shows wealth evolves—think gold to paper to digital assets (The Evolution of Wealth Storage and Status Symbols). Compute might be next.
Wrapping It Up
AI’s already changing how we work and live, and paying people in compute instead of cash could be the next leap. It’s a radical shift, but so was the internet back in the day. Whether it’s a utopian fix or a dystopian mess depends on who’s holding the reins—corporations, governments, or us. One thing’s for sure: as AI keeps reshaping the economy, we’d do well to rethink what “wealth” really means (AI-Powered Wealth: Mastering the 17 Types of Rich).
Disclaimer: This piece dives into a hypothetical world where compute power might replace cash. It’s not financial advice, a crystal-ball prediction, or a nudge to act on anything. These ideas are just that—ideas—and shouldn’t steer your decisions today. Talk to a pro before making any financial or legal moves. //
