by Jurgen De Wispelaere | Apr 22, 2026 | Events, Featured, News
On 7 June 2026, BIEN Treasurer Lindsay Stirton is running the Rio Marathon to raise money for the BIEN Congress Solidarity Fund.
The Congress Solidarity Fund exists to help low-income participants attend BIEN’s annual Congress by contributing towards essential costs such as travel, accommodation and visa applications.
BIEN’s annual Congress is the major global meeting for people advocating for, researching debating and putting into practice basic income in all its dimensions, which this year takes place 19–22 August in Toronto, Canada.
Basic income is, at heart, about security, dignity and inclusion. Supporting broader participation in the BIEN Congress is one practical way of advancing those same values. A serious global conversation about economic security should itself be open to people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.
Lindsay is running the Rio Marathon to help make that happen. Every donation, large or small, will support the BIEN Congress Solidarity Fund and help widen access to the most important international gathering devoted to basic income.
You can donate here: https://bien.enthuse.com/pf/lindsay-stirton. Spread the word across our community and please donate if you can!
by Peter Knight | Apr 19, 2026 | Featured, News
Beginning with Andrew Yang’s proposal for a $1,000 a month “Freedom Dividend” during his Democratic Party primary campaign (2019-2020), Basic Income has become salient as a means to mitigate the social and economic turbulence caused by rapid adoption of robotics and AI. BIEN has published an increasing number of News and Research items on BI and related guaranteed income pilot programs around the world here on this website, Such pilots now number in the hundreds. AI, a term first coined at a Dartmouth College summer workshop in 1956, is currently becoming a increasingly prominent topic and figures to become an object of political debate worldwide.
In this article I review two books on AI just published in the first months of 2026.
Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler, We Are As Gods: A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance
Diamandis and Kotler’s latest book challenges the reader to explore “A feedback loop of recursive AI self-improvement that accelerates progress beyond comprehension or control.” This as AI and robotics are taking mankind into a turbulent period of social and political change at warp speed. What can we do not only to survive, but flourish? Read this book as a guide.
David Brin’s latest book draws from his diverse CV, with degrees in astronomy (BS), electrical engineering (MS), astronomy (PhD), a post-doctoral fellowship at the California Space Institute and another at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies; a wide range of advisory and consulting gigs; and author of tens of science fiction and non-fiction books. In Alien Minds Brin analyses different perspectives on AI (both Artificial General Intelligence – AGI and Artificial Superintelligence – (ASI): doomers (like Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares), optimists (e.g. Ray Kurzweil and Peter Diamandis), transhumanists (if you can’t beat them, join them) e.g. Hans Moravec, Brin himself, and perhaps Elon Musk. A fascinating characteristic of this book is the inclusion in each chapter of “asides” addressed to “our newest children” – AGIs and ASIs. Brin concludes that the best way of “aligning” AGIs and SGIs to human values is through the creation of a “disputation arena” in which competition between individual Ais avoids the doom scenario
by Peter Knight | Jan 16, 2026 | Featured, News
We would like to share an important update regarding the location of the 2026 BIEN Congress.
Following a review of international travel conditions and visa accessibility for participants, a decision has reluctantly been reached to relocate the 2026 BIEN Congress from University of Pennsylvania, USA, to Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto, Canada. This decision was taken in light of challenging political circumstances in the US, to support broad international participation and to reduce uncertainty for attendees travelling from a wide range of countries.
The Congress will now take place at Toronto Metropolitan University from 19–22 August 2026, instead of 27-29 of July as previously planned.
Updated Congress details
- Dates: 19–22 August 2026 (Canada day pre-Congress taking place on August 19, Global agenda commencing August 20)
- Host institution: Toronto Metropolitan University
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Theme: Basic Income and the Polycrisis: The Key to Unlocking the Puzzle
The previously announced event at the University of Pennsylvania (27–29 July 2026) will not proceed.
Canada offers a more predictable and accessible entry environment for many international participants, helping to ensure that the Congress remains inclusive and representative of BIEN’s global membership. We are grateful to our colleagues in Canada for their willingness to host the Congress and for their flexibility in accommodating this change, and to our US colleagues for putting so much work into making this year’s congress happen. We note with great appreciation that the University of Pennsylvania team will continue sponsoring the Congress and form part of its Scientific Committee.
Further information regarding registration, calls for papers, accommodation, and travel guidance will be shared in due course.
We appreciate the understanding of the BIEN community and look forward to welcoming delegates to Toronto in August 2026.
by Jurgen De Wispelaere | Sep 13, 2024 | Featured, News
At its most recent congress, BIEN launched UBIdata, an innovative new tool with a mission to match reliable information about basic income with a rapidly growing global user base of individuals and organisations eager to learn more.
UBIdata gathers, processes and displays data about basic income pilots and experiments, survey and micro-simulations, political and media debates, and the development of grassroots organisations and networks. When completed, UBIdata will feature different interfaces and tools for interested audiences to engage with available information to meet their diverse needs and demands.
UBIdata is an ambitious project which is currently in its prototype starting phase. The current beta-version focuses on collecting and disseminating key data of a small selection of pilots and experiments in six countries. In its starting phase, the goal is to demonstrate and test the utility and user experience of the project on a small scale.
You can get involved and support us by sharing UBIdata with your networks, by trying out the tool, and by providing feedback at contact@ubidata.io. Your input and suggestions are vital for making UBIdata a helpful tool for everyone interested in the basic income idea.
Visit us at http://ubidata.io.
by Tyler Prochazka | Jan 17, 2023 | Featured
Taiwan is making history by sending out a one-time universal cash payment of $6,000 New Taiwan dollars (NTD) to every citizen “young and old.” This is the first time the country has implemented such a policy, and it comes as a result of excess tax revenue of $450 billion NTD, much of which is coming from corporate taxes that have seen record-high profits. $140 billion NTD will be dedicated to the cash payments, with the remainder going towards improving labor and health insurance systems and providing funding for local governments.
UBI Taiwan hailed the move as a victory for Taiwanese citizens, as the payment is unconditional and universal, meaning that everyone in the country will receive it, regardless of income or other circumstances. They said it reflects the growing demand that a greater proportion of Taiwan’s growth is shared with average families.
“This is a huge victory for the basic income movement,” UBI Taiwan founder Tyler Prochazka said.
UBI Taiwan promotes unconditional basic income (UBI) in Taiwan. UBI is a policy that periodically sends out unconditional cash payments to every citizen in a country regardless of an individual’s income or job status.
The organization has noted the problem of stagnant wages for the last two decades in the country and the rising cost of housing. Through basic income payments, they argue that many Taiwanese could pursue better opportunities and improve their education.
“Unconditional cash transfers are an efficient way to provide an ‘economic vaccination’ to make sure that everyone can face the future in a healthy and happy manner,” said Jiakuan Su, the new chairman of UBI Taiwan.
Over the last few years, Taiwan’s economy has experienced record-breaking 6.45% GDP growth in 2021 and over 8.73% growth in exports in 2022. However, most people have not enjoyed the fruits of this economic growth, as a 104 Job Bank survey found that real wage growth was nearly zero in 2022 due to inflation. The universal cash payment is a way for everyone to have a small share in Taiwan’s economic success.
“With the rise of the pandemic over the last few years, Taiwan has experienced rapid changes in its economy and society,” Su said. “We have experienced directly why Taiwan needs a resilient social welfare system to protect each person’s economic security.”
Since the payment is equal to all taxpayers, it will have a progressive effect with a greater proportion of the refund going to low-income earners. There is some expectation that the cash payment could help stimulate the economy because low-income households are more likely to use the money to satisfy their essentials, such as food and housing, freeing up some additional discretionary money for recreational uses as well. A greater willingness to spend by average families could help smaller businesses that may have struggled since the pandemic.
Both political parties have agreed on the general outline of the proposal and the cash could be sent out as soon as February. A surprise has been that the plan appears to be a universal rebate of the revenue instead of a targeted one, which will make it easier for everyone to apply and reduce administrative costs and time. One area still under consideration is whether foreign taxpayers will receive any of the money.
Previous cash assistance schemes during the pandemic were targeted and a stimulus voucher was sent universally. The pandemic vouchers were limited in how they could be spent and had an expiration date, similar to the vouchers under former President Ma Ying-Jeou.
Members of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) argued during the pandemic that cash should have been sent out instead of vouchers. At the time, the TPP held a news conference with UBI Taiwan to discuss the benefits of cash over vouchers. Many also complained that the targeted cash programs were difficult to receive because of the strict conditions.
Research by the World Bank later demonstrated that the simplicity of universal and unconditional cash payments during the pandemic increased access to the assistance and likely provided economic stimulus. Previous research showed a multiplier effect up to $2.6 for every dollar sent. Fears of saving the cash were largely overblown. For example, in over a dozen economies primarily in East Asia, 40 percent of the universal cash transfers during the pandemic were directly used for consumption.
Besides improved standard of living, research on basic income consistently shows improved mental health and trust in society. A meta-analysis of basic income policies looked at eight governmental reports as well as seven peer reviewed studies. They found there was justification that the alleviation of stress from financial instability could be a reason for improved mental health from basic income.
There have been criticisms of the current cash payment plan, including concerns about inflation. However, it is important to remember that this is surplus tax revenue that has already been collected and is not new money created by the central bank. An effect on inflation is just as likely if the government directly spends the money or if it is sent back to taxpayers.
Additionally, while it is true that Taiwan’s insurance systems require further reforms for sustainability, the vast majority of the surplus revenue is being used to shore up these systems and provide an emergency fund. A one time injection of funds is helpful but will not save these systems in the long run.
Previously, basic income advocates from UBI Taiwan have suggested that Taiwan could establish a sovereign wealth fund (SWF). Such a fund would act as a guarantee that Taiwanese could enjoy more equity in the growth of Taiwan’s economy even if wages remain stagnant. Excess revenue could be placed in the SWF and invested in the economy, with dividends from the SWF distributed back to the people each year, similar to the system in the US state of Alaska. The Alaska Permanent Fund sends out a yearly payment from the oil revenue generated in the state. In 2022, the universal payout reached a record high of $3,284 USD.
“I applaud the government’s decision to send the universal cash transfer and hope this establishes the precedent for Taiwan to consider making this a permanent policy,” Su said.
Prochazka furthered that by making this payment equal to all citizens, the government is taking the “first small step” towards ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared by all.
by Sarath Davala | Sep 17, 2022 | Featured
A convergence of various circumstances in the 21st century has made a Basic Income policy
an achievable goal. Discussions and policy debates about Basic Income are taking place in countries across the world. We see this as an incredible opportunity for BIEN to strengthen its reach and solidify its role as a go-to-source on Basic Income.
BIEN’s mandate is to foster informed discussion about this topic throughout the world. For this, we should continue to provide reliable information and a rigorous interpretation of facts about Basic Income. We want to reach every politician, scholar, activist, and artist in every country. To do this we need hands, hearts, and funds.
Hands
Since 1986, BIEN has grown thanks to the incredible efforts of its volunteers. All BIEN Executive Committee members are dedicated volunteers. We need more volunteers. We also need paid staff.
Hearts
We need more supporters, more members and affiliates across countries. We appeal to our members to encourage others to become members and affiliates of BIEN. We want to learn from our affiliates with whom we aim to have a strong and mutually empowering relationship.
Funds
We are initiating BIEN Hubs in different parts of the world – Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Europe. To support this effort, we have been working on fund-raising since 2021. In 2022, we secured a three-year grant from Mustardseed Trust to increase and strengthen BIEN’s presence at the global level. The grant essentially enables BIEN to employ paid staff to strengthen the Hubs. However, a big chunk of the grant is earmarked as a matching grant, realizable upon BIEN raising funds from other sources. In other words, for every Dollar we raise, Mustardseed Trust will give one additional Dollar. No amount is too small . Please donate any amount you can afford. Whatever you give, it doubles. Our immediate requirement is to raise 10,000 Dollars to appoint a Manager for BIEN Hub – Latin America.
BIEN is seeking funds for the first time in its 36 years history. We request you to support our efforts to strengthen Basic Income movement across the world. Please join hands and hearts with us.
To learn more about BIEN Hubs, please feel free to contact Hubs Coordinator wolfgang@basicincome.org To donate follow this link.
