On Monday, the NYT’s Daily podcast dropped an episode entitled “Was the 401(k) a mistake?” In it, the journalists conclude their analysis with what they call a basic question: Is retirement a privilege or a right?

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The question we SHOULD be asking is much bigger: How do we maintain (and even accelerate) our innovative, growthful economy, without leaving behind those whose skills and job opportunities haven’t kept up?

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Over the past half century, those with skills relevant to technological and economic innovation have catapulted ahead in wealth generation and financial well-being, while those who don’t have been left behind. This is true for both 401(k) ownership and the economy overall.

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Technological and economic innovation have brought enormous benefits to our country at large: a rising stock market, increased tax base, global influence, and life-saving innovations. This kind of growth and progress is not inevitable, and something we would all be lucky to have continue for generations to come.

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Yet we need a better solution for those whose skills grow out-of-date in a fast-moving, innovative economy - particularly in an age of AI. More than ever, I’m concerned that innovation - and its resulting wealth generation - are likely to accrue to the privileged, and further drive a wedge in our economy and social structure.

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Letting current levels of inequality and polarization persist - and potentially worsen - is not a sustainable option. Other countries provide ample case studies around more comprehensive social safety nets, reskilling, and human capital management.

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Frankly, this is one of the many reasons I am proud of Duckbill, where we are building a product meant to someday serve all people across the income spectrum, and creating jobs for people without traditional exposure to high tech, to interact with AI in cutting edge ways.

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Duckbill can’t do it alone, but we are proud to be doing a small part in building the economy we all deserve. After all, solving this issue is essential for the sustained success of our country and the well-being of all Americans.