U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont recently proposed a tax on robots in order to ensure that the productivity gains from automation technologies are shared by the working class. Sanders argued that he is not opposed to technology, but wants to make sure those who benefit from it are not limited to the investor class. The concept of a ‘robot tax” has been floated in the past, but has not gained traction in the political arena.
During an interview with journalist Margaret Brennan on CBS’s Face the Nation, Sanders spoke of the potential for automation to put millions out of work, and the need to involve working people in the decisions surrounding the use of robotics. He asked if the worker should benefit from increased productivity, or just the owner of the company.
Sanders also talked of the promise of the future, that of shorter work weeks, something that was taken seriously in the 1960s but has not come to fruition in the 21st century. He agreed with the concept proposed by Bill Gates of taxing robots, and even jokingly referenced his own conversations with the billionaire.
TV shows like The Jetsons seemed to promise a future of automation and robots as servants to humanity, but such a future has yet to arrive. With advances in AI and robotics, there is much to be considered in terms of the impact on the workforce and how the gains should be shared.
Ultimately, there is no clear appetite for a robot tax, and with the potential for nuclear secrets to be stolen by AI, there are a multitude of challenges humanity will have to face in the years to come.