What is a robot exactly – and how do we make it pay tax?

Bill Gates's idea of taxing robots sounds like common sense but we need more practicable ways of redistributing wealth

A tax on robots is one of those ideas that sounds attractive, and when it's put forward by someone with the credibility of Bill Gates, as it was in a recent interview with Quartz magazine, you can guarantee it will generate a lot of interest. If he, of all people, says taxing robots is a good idea, then surely it is worth considering?

Well, perhaps not.

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