Artificial Intelligence and the Social Contract

Foundations for Social and Economic Policy Under Technological Transformation

Benjamin Boudreaux, Beba Cibralic

Expert InsightsPublished Aug 25, 2025

As artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities advance, the United States faces potential disruptions comparable to those in the Industrial Revolution, requiring adaptations that ensure economic opportunity and societal resilience. The authors of this paper argue that social contract theory, already codified in the U.S. Constitution and throughout U.S. institutions, provides a valuable compass for navigating the societal and economic impacts of AI.

This is part of the Social and Economic Policy Rethink Initiative, a RAND effort to transform the approach to solving social and economic policy problems.

Topics

Document Details

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Boudreaux, Benjamin and Beba Cibralic, Artificial Intelligence and the Social Contract: Foundations for Social and Economic Policy Under Technological Transformation. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2025. https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA3888-1.html.
BibTeX RIS

Funding for this work was provided by the contributions of the RAND Social and Economic Policy Advisory Board; generous gifts by Frank M. Clark, Michael J. Critelli, William A. Downe, Jihee Kim Huh and Peter Yun Huh, and the Donald M. James Family Foundation. The work was conducted by RAND Social and Economic Well-Being.

This publication is part of the RAND expert insights series. The expert insights series presents perspectives on timely policy issues.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.