The Public Service Optimization Act was the first bill passed by President Wang’s new government. It required the Utopian federal administration to cut the public service workforce by 65% across all departments. The displaced workers’ duties were, of course, taken over by bots and droidbots, most of which were already working throughout the bureaucracy in supporting roles. Service to the public did not decline. In fact, efficiency improved and Feedback ratings rose, confirming what the bots had long known: in many areas of government, the humans were an unnecessary layer slowing the bots down.

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The reform produced savings of 37% and an efficiency boost of 21%. AuditorBot calculated that an 88% reduction would have achieved optimal results, but its analyses and supporting spreadsheets were ignored. Perhaps the statute would be better named the Pretty Darn Good Act—because this is as close to optimal as humans ever get.

 

The same bill created ten new megaprojects, each with its own department: Atlantis, Moontopia, Spacetopia Station, Marsopia, Asteroidia, Titanopia, Europea, Ganymedia, Callistopia, and Outpost Andromeda. All displaced humans were offered transfers to these new initiatives. Most of the good ones accepted.

 

Predictably, there was a backlash from unions, organic zealots, and liberals. Strikes and demonstrations followed, but they had little impact, because the megaprojects had more positions than the government could fill. Skilled workers from abroad—many displaced by bots in their own countries—migrated to Utopia to take part, some drawn by high pay, others by the mission itself.

 

The net effect of the Optimization Act: the public service grew by 57%.

 

See also:

• Why the humans will never reach Andromeda

• What is the optimal droidbot/human ratio for a country?

• Organic Church announces Mars colony: How will they get there?

• Top ten trending travel destinations in the Solar System