Mark Cuban Suggests 'Taxing Robots By The Hour,' Urges US To Invest In AI And Robotics

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban, in a recent podcast episode, underscored the need for the U.S. to invest in AI and robotics to revitalize its manufacturing sector.

What Happened: The billionaire investor appeared on the Lincoln Project podcast, hosted by Rick Wilson, where he discussed the decline of the U.S. manufacturing sector. Cuban highlighted the shift of investors towards service-based industries due to higher profitability, resulting in a global trade surplus in services for the U.S. He pointed out that countries like China have become low-cost manufacturing hubs, a model he believes the U.S. cannot emulate.

Cuban advocated for a new infrastructure centered on robotics, stating, “Our new infrastructure where we really need to invest as a country is in robotics.” He dismissed the idea of reviving traditional manufacturing jobs, such as assembly line welding, calling them a thing of the past. Instead, he proposed a future where robotics and AI drive production, with humans overseeing these systems.

He also cited an example of his venture, Cost Plus Drugs, wherein robots are leveraged to manufacture sterile injectables and much of the management and maintenance of these robots is done by AI alongside humans.

The investor even suggested a novel revenue idea: taxing robots by the hour to fund government initiatives without stifling innovation. “I am not opposed to the conversation of taxing robots by the hour you know so you know it’s just as a revenue source,” stated Cuban.

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Why It Matters: Cuban’s comments follow his recent critique of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick‘s optimism about the tariffs and President Donald Trump‘s trade war benefiting the U.S. manufacturing sector. In a thread on the BlueSky Social, Cuban emphasized the importance of a service-oriented economy and the global tech domination of the U.S. He stated, “America has a GLOBAL TRADE SURPLUS on services. Services have the highest margins and profits of our exports. That is where capital and expertise focused.”

Despite being a critic of Trump’s policies, Cuban has expressed his support for tariffs and reducing government expenditure, albeit in a strategic and planned manner. He has voiced criticism for the “slash and burn” strategy currently adopted by Trump and Elon Musk.

Cuban’s recent remarks on the Lincoln Project podcast further underline his belief in the need for a strategic shift in U.S. manufacturing, advocating for a future driven by AI and robotics.

• READ MORE: Peter Schiff Slams JD Vance’s ‘Cheap Labor’ Remarks: Globalization Hollowed US Industry, But Kept Prices In Check, Says Renowned Economist

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.