Should companies be required to pay a tax when they replace human workers with AI?

Often called a "robot tax," this policy proposes levying a charge on companies that automate jobs previously done by humans. As AI models and autonomous agents begin to replace cognitive labor in law, coding, and customer service, economists fear a decoupling of productivity and wages. Proponents argue this revenue is essential to sustain the tax base and fund social programs as income tax revenue declines. Opponents argue that penalizing automation is economically illiterate, as it raises the cost of goods and drives cutting-edge industries offshore.