--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most important question in…" description: "\"The most important question in 21st-century economics may well be, 'What should we do with all the superfluous people, once we have highly intelligent ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/yuval-noah-harari-100_21st-century_the-most-important-question-in-21st-cent_2994069.jpg" --- # The most important question in 21st-century economics may… ![“The most important question in 21st-century economics may well be, 'What should we do with all the superfluous people, once we have highly intelligent non-conscious algorithms that can do almost everything better than humans?'” quote by Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/yuval-noah-harari-100_21st-century_the-most-important-question-in-21st-cent_2994069.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/yuval-noah-harari-100_21st-century_the-most-important-question-in-21st-cent_2994069.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dc/yuval-noah-harari-100_21st-century_the-most-important-question-in-21st-cent_2994069.jpg) > “The most important question in 21st-century economics may well be, 'What should we do with all the superfluous people, once we have highly intelligent non-conscious algorithms that can do almost everything better than humans?'” [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Future economics must address the role of surplus humans when AI handles most tasks. **In simple terms:** Superfluous people challenge economic systems. Key Takeaway Develop inclusive policies for a post‑automation world. Themes economics AI future of work Mood analytical concerned Type policy philosophical When to use this quote - employment - social welfare - education reform - universal basic income Key Concepts philosophy technology policy Questions to Reflect On - How should society value human contribution? - What safety nets are needed? A Different Perspective Implementation may face political resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Highly intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highly-intelligent/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [A stable 21st century society requires 21st century solutions not 20th century economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-harding/a-stable-21st-century-society-requires-21st-century-solutions-not/) [Phil Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-harding/) > [The idea that humans will always have a unique ability beyond the reach of non-conscious algorithms is just wishful thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/the-idea-that-humans-will-always-have-a-unique-ability-beyond-the/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [“The idea that humans will always have a unique ability beyond the reach of non-conscious algorithms is just wishful thinking. 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