Events at CERGE-EI

What do robots, taxes, and growing inequality in society have in common? And how is the Czech tax reform of 2021 connected to the question of who really prospers in the Czech Republic and who is left behind?

Technology and artificial intelligence boost productivity, but they also widen the gap between people with different levels of education and skills. Economists call this the “skill premium” – machines mainly help those who are already highly qualified. Can anything be done about it? Surprisingly, yes – and a smart tax system can help reduce inequality without holding back economic growth.

In this lecture, you’ll hear why it sometimes makes more sense to tax robots more than buildings, what new economic models tell us about the balance between growth and fairness, and what lessons can be drawn from the Czech experience with the 2021 tax reform. The results are surprising: the economy grew, inequality decreased slightly, but the state budget suffered significantly.

Together, we will try to answer the question: What should “smart taxation” look like to keep society cohesive even in the age of robots and artificial intelligence?

We recommend registration, which serves as a seat reservation.

The lecture will be 45 minutes in Czech, with time for Q&A.