【】When a Robot Isn't Just A Robot

More Europeans are about to get some free money in the name of economics research.
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The European Union is funding a new universal basic income experiment in Barcelona alongside similar tests in Helsinki and the Dutch city of Ultrecht. 。

Around 1,000 low-income households in one of the city's poorest districts will be randomly selected to receive monthly payments of between €400 ($450) and €525 ($590) for two years. All told, the three programs will cost the EU €13 million ($14.7 million).。

The study is the latest in a series of research efforts launched across the globe in recent months to put the policy to the test in a real-world setting.。

The idea of a universal basic income -- a system in which a government would give every citizen equal no-strings-attached payments -- has been gaining traction lately thanks in part to endorsements from big-name Silicon Valley moguls (most recently Mark Zuckerberg) and the looming threat of automation-driven job loss.。

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Already this year, experiments have been announced or launched in Ontario, Oakland, and Uganda in addition to the European trials.。

A survey earlier this year found that seven in 10 Europeans would vote for a UBI policy if given the chance.。

Despite the supposed popular support, though, the people of Switzerland resoundingly voted down a countrywide proposal in a referendum last year.。

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