Universal basic income: What UBI is, how it works, how it would affect the economy, and what supporters and critics say

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• Universal basic income is gaining global traction, with over 100 cash payment pilots in the US.
• UBI and basic income aims to reduce poverty by giving people cash, no strings attached.
• Participants spend basic income on necessities, but critics argue it's costly and discourages work.

Universal basic income has made giant strides from its origins as a utopian vision.