Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger wants to tax AI sales in Germany

Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) has spoken out in favor of taxing sales of artificial intelligence in Germany. In his view, the money should be used to pay for the changes in the labor market. “We have to tax the extremely high sales of this technology, and we can use the money to finance the conversion, that is also my approach,” Wildberger told the Tagesspiegel. “If growth and value creation occur in this country, taxes must also be paid in this country.”

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has long called for taxing robots that replace human work. Gates fears that artificial intelligence could lead to massive job losses.

Wildberger also expects that AI will fundamentally change the world of work. In the long term, more employment will be created, but in different jobs than today. According to the minister, retraining and new activities, for example in crafts or nursing, must be financed. This requires growth and openness to other instruments.

According to a survey by the Munich Ifo Institute, artificial intelligence is an alternative to formal qualifications and professional experience for a growing number of companies. Almost 20 percent of companies using AI consider it easy or very easy to replace university graduates with less qualified employees who can use AI. However, more than half of the companies surveyed currently do not share this assessment.

Some don't get into the job, others should get out. And those who stay have to cut back: contracts are limited, bonuses and home offices are canceled. Even those who achieve a lot can no longer feel safe. Read the SPIEGEL cover story from the summer about the new toughness in the labor market here.