At least since the publication of the book ‘The Limits to Growth’ we have known that infinite growth will destroy our future. Nevertheless, worldwide economic growth continues. At the moment, the world economy is growing annually by the amount of Germany’s entire GDP, and the trend is rising.

This growth has to be generated, and at the moment it is insane armaments projects that are being conjured out of thin air.

Many people would like to see gross national happiness used as a measure

of a country’s progress instead of gross national product.

Nobody is saying the unthinkable, but that would mean that money in the economy would have to be replaced by happiness.

How does money enter the economy in the first place?

Goods only acquire their financial value through the payment of labour. If something were made entirely from raw materials to finished products by voluntary work, then it could be given away, because it would have no financial value.

A simple example: if you find a lump of clay in nature and make a bowl out of it, you can give this bowl away. The only disadvantage is that you have not earned any money to buy anything else with.

However, if everything in the world were produced by voluntary work, then everything could be given away, so we would no longer need any money at all.

At the moment, the gross national product is obsolete because it can no longer be calculated. But we know that our sense of happiness increases significantly when we give each other gifts, just think of birthdays, Easter and Christmas.

If we give each other gifts, we will naturally not want to give unnecessary things and we will not make any effort to ensure that the gifts break as quickly as possible, as is the case in today’s economy.

Less work

Therefore, probably less work will have to be done and unemployment will increase. However, this is not a problem because everyone is automatically provided for through mutual giving. Since we are naturally anxious to reciprocate gifts, we will endeavour to relieve each other of work as much as possible.

The problem, however, is that this also makes the market disappear because there is no longer any exchange value. Fortunately, however, we have had artificial intelligence for some time.

Here is a dialogue with ChatGPT on replacing the market with AI:

Question: Can artificial intelligence (AI) replace the market, and what interfaces are required for this?

Answer: Yes, artificial intelligence could replace the market in a global, synchronized transition to voluntary work. It would take on the task of identifying the needs of people worldwide, managing the production and distribution of goods, and coordinating supply chains. For this to work, the following interfaces are required:

Necessary Interfaces for AI

1. Citizen Needs Interface: • A user-friendly platform (e.g., app or terminal) through which people can input their needs. This interface would enable the AI to capture the demand for goods and services in real-time.
2. Data Interfaces for Production Facilities (Industry 4.0): • The AI must communicate directly with production facilities to manage production based on actual needs. • Already existing automated production processes could be seamlessly integrated.
3. Logistics Interface: • A direct connection to global logistics systems (e.g., transportation networks, warehouses) to ensure efficient distribution of goods. • The AI would optimize transport routes and avoid unnecessary shipments.
4. Sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT): • Sensors in warehouses, households, and public institutions could provide the AI with information on inventory, consumption, and needs.
5. Global Coordination without a Financial System: • Since the financial system will be abolished immediately, the AI must rely on a new coordination model based solely on needs and resources. • Delivery contracts and trade relationships would no longer be settled through money but through the direct alignment of needs and resources.

Is the hardware for such a system already available?

Partially yes, but adjustments and expansions would be necessary in some areas. Here is an overview:

1. Global Data Collection – IoT and Sensors: Current State: • Billions of connected sensors and devices (Internet of Things) already exist and provide data on production, logistics, and consumption. Required Expansion: • More decentralized sensors to comprehensively capture needs even in local communities.
2. High-Performance Data Centers: Current State: • Data centers and cloud infrastructures can already process large amounts of data. Required Expansion: • More efficient, decentralized computing capacities to avoid dependencies on a few central providers.
3. Intelligent Production Facilities (Industry 4.0): Current State: • Many production processes are already automated and could be directly connected to the AI. Required Expansion: • More flexibility in production to react quickly to changing needs.
4. Global Logistics Infrastructure: Current State: • Logistics companies already use AI to optimize supply chains. Required Expansion: • Global coordination of logistics flows without profit motives and with a focus on efficiency and sustainability.
5. Sustainable Energy Supply: Current State: • Some data centers already rely on renewable energy, but overall, a fully sustainable energy supply is still lacking. Required Expansion: • Expansion of decentralized, renewable energy sources and development of energy-efficient hardware.Note: Sustainable energy sources are available due to reduced consumption.

Could existing trade relationships and supply contracts still be used?

Yes, existing structures do not need to be completely reinvented. Instead, supply chains and trade relationships could be embedded in the new system and controlled by the AI – but without financial transactions. Instead, the AI would match needs directly with resources and production capacities and manage deliveries accordingly.

How could this look in practice?

1. Production Control: • The AI would utilize the existing infrastructure of companies but adjust production volumes to actual demand. Example: A textile manufacturer would produce only as many clothing items as are actually needed.
2. Logistics and Warehousing: • Logistics networks would remain in place but be used more efficiently. The AI could optimize transportation and avoid unnecessary trips. Example: An existing warehouse would continue to be used as a distribution hub but only for goods that are truly needed.
3. Transactions without Money: • Delivery contracts and trade relationships could be transitioned to a money-free logic. Companies would no longer deliver goods for payment but according to the needs captured by the AI.

Conclusion: The transition to voluntary work would occur globally on the same day, and the financial system would dissolve immediately. Nonetheless, many existing structures could still be used and made more efficient through AI. Rather than developing new systems from scratch, the AI would gradually optimize existing production, logistics, and supply networks to adapt them to the needs of a growth-free, needs-oriented society. This would not only save resources but also ensure stability during the transition.

Berlin, Mar 26, 2025

Eberhard Licht

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