Bill Gates says AI tax should "slow the rush away from human labor"

In a lengthy new essay, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said the rise of artificial intelligence will be disruptive and could worsen inequality unless leaders prepare. He identified three major dangers: permanent job losses, misuse of AI for cyberattacks, fraud, disinformation or bioweapons, and harm to children’s development and relationships. Gates argued that governments should act quickly, and he proposed taxing AI systems and robots to finance social programs and worker retraining, particularly for entry- and mid-level jobs. That tax, he said, would help ease the pace at which businesses replace people with machines while creating revenue for safety-net programs. Gates also said AI could help address climate, health, and other problems, and he has been discussing his concerns with U.S. lawmakers.