AK seeks solutions

State and economy: robots don’t pay taxes

Robots and AI are taking on more and more tasks worldwide.(Bild: EXPA Pictures. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. // EXPA Pictures. All rigths reserved.)

Final balance sheet at the end of the year: Lower Austria's AK President Markus Wieser calculates that the work of machines must be the focus ...

The current situation: 60 percent of the total value added comes from human labor. 40 percent comes from machines and robotics. In the 1970s, the ratio was still 90 to 10, but machines - including the much-discussed artificial intelligence - are taking over more and more work steps. However, taxes are still mainly levied on work performance and payroll.

We need to find new solutions to finance the welfare state!

AK-NÖ-Präsident Markus Wieser

A development that Chamber of Labor President Markus Wieser wants to see actively reshaped. "Robots don't pay taxes. It will be necessary to use digitalization and automation to secure the financing of the solidarity state." He is counting on an open discussion with stakeholders from business and politics - which is currently a hot topic in the coalition negotiations at federal level. However, it is not just about taxing machines and vending machines; Wieser can also imagine relief for job-intensive companies with many human employees.

AK President Markus Wieser in conversation with "Krone" Lower Austria leader Lukas Lusetzky.(Bild: AKNÖ/G. Buchegger)

"Do not jeopardize the industry"
The AK boss continued: "It is important to ensure that Lower Austria as a business location and, above all, the industry, which is very export-oriented, are not jeopardized." Wieser also suggests that energy and grid costs should be lower for companies as part of this legislative change.