The development of artificial intelligence meant that machines took over 95% of jobs. Extreme inequalities have arisen around the world. After years of brutal transformations, the interplanetary federation has established a global basic income. The main currency became the energy that powered the robots that produced food and all other goods. Hunger and extreme poverty were eliminated, but the influence of the richer part of society led to the creation of a hermetic caste system from which there was no escape. Even a handful of intercaste marriages have resulted in a legal demotion to the higher born partner.
