Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of "unconditional basic meaning" as a digital public good, proposing that governments provide citizens with access to AI-powered virtual worlds that foster personal growth, creativity and fulfilment. As AI-supported automation increasingly displace human jobs and other daily chores, many citizens risk losing their sense of purpose or ikigai, referred to as i-risks, while having much more spare time at hand. To address this challenge, the paper argues that governments should invest in digital public goods that prioritize citizens' well-being and purpose. By providing unconditional basic meaning, governments can also help create a more just and equitable society where everyone has access to a sense of purpose and fulfilment, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. This would not be the case if the corporate sector was to provide digital meaning. The paper also addresses a number of potential objections to this approach and concludes with specific recommendations for governments to implement AI-powered virtual worlds as a digital public good.