United Kingdom, June 26 -- An employment expert has urged governments to introduce a tax on robots and artificial intelligence, arguing the move is necessary to protect workers and ensure the benefits of automation are shared more fairly.

James Reed, chairman and chief executive of recruitment firm Reed, said policymakers should "back humans" as AI rapidly transforms workplaces around the world.

Speaking to the BBC, Reed said businesses investing heavily in artificial intelligence and robotics should contribute more through taxation as automation increasingly replaces human labour.

He said: "The provision of those services is consuming huge amounts of energy and contributing to climate change.

"And yet we're taxing employers who hire ...