New U.S. bill would tax AI firms to fund jobs if unemployment rises

The bill reflects growing bipartisan concern in Washington that AI could cause mass unemployment, prompting lawmakers to seek new revenue sources. Previous efforts include studies on AI's impact on jobs, disclosure requirements for AI-related layoffs, and proposals to tax AI companies based on energy use. The new bill's automatic rate increase tied to unemployment is designed to scale support as disruption worsens.

Tech leaders themselves have voiced similar worries. Bill Gates argued the current tax system "nudges you toward replacing people with machines" and warned that "many jobs will disappear forever." Even executives at AI companies, like Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman, have acknowledged the need for new tax mechanisms or public stakes to redistribute AI gains, though their companies have not officially endorsed the proposed taxes.

The bill's fate remains uncertain, but it signals that AI taxation is becoming a mainstream policy discussion. With multiple proposals across both chambers, the debate over how to share AI's economic benefits—or mitigate its costs—is likely to intensify. For businesses, the outcome could shape future tax liabilities and workforce planning in an AI-driven economy.