California Gubernatorial Candidate Zoltan Istvan Proposes Universal Basic Income and Home Robots to Counter AI Job Disruption

California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Zoltan Istvan warns of a looming "job apocalypse" as AI and humanoid robots threaten to eliminate 50% of jobs within five years. His radical solution centers on universal basic income and equipping every household with robotic assistants.

Istvan, a former Transhumanist Party member now running as a Democrat, emphasizes the urgent need for AI regulation and societal preparation. His campaign taps into growing concerns from tech leaders about generative AI's rapid displacement of entry-level positions across industries.

The candidate points to massive investments in humanoid robotics infrastructure in China and the U.S. as evidence of an inevitable workforce transformation. "We're saying 50% of all jobs at this point are at risk," Istvan told Decrypt, framing his policy proposals as essential economic safeguards.