As someone working in the driverless technology industry, I’m often asked whether this innovation will displace jobs. This question is particularly relevant during the Coronavirus pandemic, as many people are losing employment opportunities. Let’s consider the following:
- Most driverless technology companies have employed at least 1-2 safety operators per vehicle. While a few companies have begun operations without safety operators, it will likely be many years before we see significant advancement in this area. Waymo has even committed to maintaining the Safety Operator position for the long term (link here).
- The development of driverless technology has created a thriving industry for specialists in software engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, and more. According to this article, “jobs in the autonomous vehicle sector have grown enormously between 2015 and 2019, with job postings increasing by 833% and job searches increasing by 450%.”
- Even when the industry is ready for fully autonomous operations, people will still be needed for various support roles, such as remote supervision, vehicle maintenance, and customer support.
In the long term, driverless vehicles will ultimately lead to a reduction in jobs, which I believe is a positive outcome. Currently, there are shortages of drivers in public transit, trucking, and other industries. Driverless vehicles will help address these shortages and enhance the cost-effectiveness and reliability of transportation for people and goods. This serves as a warning to our society. If you are a bus or truck driver today, you will likely have job stability for many years to come. Would I advise my two-year-old to pursue a driving career? Probably not…
