By Matthew Keegan for TheGuardian.com/Cities, June 27

[...] Cities the world over are experimenting with basic income, with supporters arguing that it would help to alleviate inequality in society and give people a social financial foundation in an uncertain future. “Universal income will be necessary over time if AI takes over most human jobs,” Elon Musk tweeted two weeks ago. Jeremy Corbyn, Bernie Sanders, Mark Zuckerberg and the Nobel prize-winning economist Angus Deaton are also in favour [....]

From one trial in Hamilton, Ontario

[...] lost one of his legs in 1988 as a result of a bone infection and now has a prosthetic; he has also struggled with his mental health. He used to receive a disability benefit, but the amount was so low as to leave him no way out of poverty. Today Dingman, 56, is paid C$1,900 (£1,080) per month under the city’s basic income pilot project – and he says the difference is life-changing. “I’ve been able to plan ahead, especially for food,” he says. “My overall health has improved because my diet is better. I can also afford hygiene products – which was very difficult before.”Most significant of all is the impact on his confidence. “Basic income has given me freedom to live with some dignity with a little extra money to buy the essentials in life,” says Dingman. “I want to make the most of this opportunity and work up to a full-time job eventually ... I feel much more in control of my own life.” [....]