A VAT addresses this issue pretty well since it taxes the value add nature of both automation and human labor. If we need to subsidize human labor in order to s

A VAT addresses this issue pretty well since it taxes the value add nature of both automation and human labor. If we need to subsidize human labor in order to smooth out the disruption effects of mass automation, then expanding the earned income tax credit with the proceeds from a VAT would work to subsidize the human labor at the cost of mechanical labor in a relatively efficient manner. Since it ties all payments to a specific social security number, there's less concern about politicians playing favorites, micromanaging the system, buying votes with policy, etc.