Uber ’s announcement yesterday that it will be deploying driverless taxis in Pittsburgh later this month puts it firmly on course for a “ crash between robots and jobs ” according to a report in Reuters Breakingviews . The report concludes that the American economy is ill - equipped to cope with a system that would automate a job that currently employs millions of people , despite the potential benefits of productivity and accident reduction . Both industries are now firmly in Uber’s crosshairs. While it is clear that most professional drivers ’ jobs will not disappear overnight , fears remain that self - driving technology will increase reliance on working - class drivers that may not have the ability to re - skill .
Uber ’s announcement yesterday that it will be deploying driverless taxis in Pittsburgh later this month puts it firmly on course for a “ crash between robots and jobs ” according to a report in Reuters Breakingviews . The report concludes that the American economy is ill - equipped to cope with a system that would automate a job that currently employs millions of people , despite the potential benefits of productivity and accident reduction . While it is clear that most professional drivers ’ jobs will not disappear overnight , fears remain that self - driving technology will increase reliance on working - class drivers that may not have the ability to re - skill .