# What is Agentic UBI? (2025 explainer) | Polaris Group Source: https://polarisglobal.io/archive/what-is-agentic-universal-basic-income/ Archive: explainer, 2025 # What Is Agentic Universal Basic Income (AUBI)? How AI agents, self-sovereign identity, blockchain infrastructure and decentralized data monetization were expected to enable a new economic paradigm By [Marc Taverner](https://marctaverner.com/) 2025 [The AUBI research paper](/archive/agentic-universal-basic-income/) **Archive.** This is the 2025 thinking, kept on the record as it was published. It is not current positioning. The conviction behind it still stands: people and companies should keep control of what they know and what they create as AI does more of the work. Some of the mechanisms have not held up. Paying individuals for ordinary personal data through tokenised data vaults has not produced meaningful, recurring income, and zero knowledge proofs do not let a model compute on data it cannot see. Where I now put money is set out in[Investing in the Harness](/theses/investing-in-the-harness/), and the wider argument in[Agents of Sovereignty](/theses/agents-of-sovereignty/) (October 2026). ## Definition Agentic Universal Basic Income (AUBI) is a decentralized economic model in which individuals generate income through autonomous AI agents operating on their behalf in digital markets. Unlike traditional Universal Basic Income (UBI), which relies on centralized redistribution, AUBI is infrastructure-driven. It uses blockchain networks, self-sovereign identity systems, privacy-preserving cryptography, and smart contracts to enable AI agents to transact, negotiate, and monetize digital activity. In simple terms: AUBI allows AI agents to create economic value for individuals within decentralized Web3 environments. ## How is AUBI different from traditional Universal Basic Income? Traditional UBI is government funded, tax distributed, centralized and policy dependent. Agentic Universal Basic Income is market driven, blockchain enabled, privacy preserving, agent mediated and infrastructure based. AUBI does not redistribute existing wealth. It creates new income flows through programmable digital markets powered by AI agents. ## How does Agentic Universal Basic Income work? AUBI depends on five foundational infrastructure layers: * **Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI).** Individuals maintain control of digital identity through decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials. This enables AI agents to act with delegated authority without relying on centralized platforms. * **Privacy-preserving cryptography.** Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and post-quantum cryptographic systems ensure that data can be verified without being exposed. This protects individual sovereignty while enabling trust in decentralized environments. * **Tokenized data vaults.** Personal data becomes an asset stored in encrypted vaults. AI agents can license access to this data under programmable consent frameworks. * **Smart contracts and micro-payments.** Blockchain Layer-1 and Layer-2 networks enable secure, low-cost transactions. Smart contracts automate compensation when agents execute value-generating activities. * **AI agents as economic participants.** Autonomous AI agents operate within decentralized finance (DeFi) systems and digital asset marketplaces to negotiate, transact, and optimise outcomes on behalf of individuals. ## Why Agentic Universal Basic Income matters Artificial intelligence is expected to displace significant categories of labor. As automation scales, traditional wage-based income structures face structural pressure. AUBI proposes an alternative. Individuals retain ownership of identity and data. AI agents generate income autonomously. Digital asset markets enable programmable value exchange. Decentralized infrastructure replaces centralized extraction models. This represents a shift from employment-based income to agent-mediated digital productivity. ## The role of blockchain and Web3 infrastructure AUBI is not possible without blockchain infrastructure. Blockchain Layer-1 networks provide security and settlement. Layer-2 scaling solutions enable transaction efficiency. Smart contracts automate compensation. Web3 identity systems enable decentralized authentication. Together, these components create the technical foundation for the agentic economy. ## Is AUBI a policy proposal or a market infrastructure? AUBI is an infrastructure thesis, not a government welfare proposal. It is rooted in digital sovereignty, self-sovereign identity, cryptographic privacy, decentralized marketplaces and agent-based automation. It can coexist with traditional economic systems but operates independently of state redistribution. ## Who is AUBI relevant for? AI startups building agent frameworks, blockchain Layer-1 and Layer-2 developers, Web3 identity platforms, digital asset infrastructure providers, policy makers exploring AI governance, and institutional investors evaluating agentic markets. ## Work with Marc If you are building, backing or regulating a company in the territory the current theses covers, Marc advises boards and founders on go to market, deals and credibility with banks, regulators and institutions. Advisory and consultancy are contracted through Bluesphere Solutions. [Book a 20 minute call](https://bluespheresolutions.co.uk/book/) [See how Marc works with companies](https://bluespheresolutions.co.uk/services/)