THE current global economic system, due to its shortcomings in wealth distribution, has prevented a vast majority of humans from attaining significant economic rewards, even in technologically advanced Western civilizations. This system fails to enable most of the planet’s population to achieve optimal economic capability and stability. According to Thomas W. Malone’s “supermind theory,” capitalism may gradually evolve into fully automated luxury communism, potentially leading to collective superintelligence and a more advanced human civilization on Earth.
By the mid-21st century, global transformations driven by AI may herald the transition from classical capitalism to post-capitalism or cyber socialism. This new economic system would be centrally organized by AI, featuring well-planned and efficient administration for the greater good of a larger population. Fundamental human rights, such as basic income for all citizens, would be secured under this system.
The concept of unconditional basic income, once considered a utopian idea by Jeremy Rifkin, an American journalist and writer, is gaining traction. Rifkin’s theory suggests that this technological revolution will transform classical capitalism into post-capitalism or cyber socialism. Many European countries are already considering replacing outdated bureaucratic welfare systems with unconditional basic income for their citizens. Tech leaders like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk support this system. These tech billionaires, driven by their humanitarian and innovative spirit, advocate for basic income rights for all citizens, which could elevate global civilization and enhance collective human intelligence and consciousness. In this new era of post-capitalism or cyber socialism, no one would become excessively wealthy without contributing to humanity’s collective advancement.
Several leaders and governments worldwide recognize the humanitarian value of such a system. In third-world countries, multinational companies or local governments could implement this system by establishing industries like: Semiconductor Manufacturing: For industries such as automotive, medical, electronics, computing, communications and aerospace.
Lithium-Ion Battery Production: For electric vehicles, medical devices, digital cameras, laptops, watches, solar energy storage, surveillance, etc. AI and lithium-ion batteries for renewable energy are two high-tech industries that could rapidly flourish in Pakistan, driving progressive growth. While these technologies were initially developed in the West, China, through its highly skilled engineers and scientists (many of whom were trained in the US), has achieved self-sufficiency in these industries. China now leads in global production, exerting significant influence and striving for global prominence as a superpower.
This leadership in technology has intensified conflicts and wars worldwide, as global superpowers compete to reshape geopolitics according to a future multipolar world order based on these new energy resources. These industries are now critical to economic power and national defence, making them paramount to Pakistan’s future science policies.
Incorporating these industries into Pakistan’s mega-science and infrastructure projects would not only enhance human super intelligence but also contribute to the collective good of human civilization. Advancements in brain health and longevity would multiply, allowing human consciousness and civilization to approach the Kardashev Scale of Civilization Type I.
Kardashev, a 20th-century physicist, proposed the Kardashev Scale to measure civilizations based on their energy resource utilization for industrial and societal advancement. By successfully establishing renewable energy and AI industries, global civilizations could reach Kardashev Scale Type I. For Pakistan, planning and investing in these industries could boost its innovation index and elevate its political and technological standing in the world.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in London.
