The End of Human Driving? with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi | On With Kara Swisher · Pivot summary

Key takeaways

AI is deeply integrated into Uber's business model, impacting everything from pricing to customer service.
Khosrowshahi sees tremendous potential in autonomous vehicles, viewing them as a safer alternative to human drivers.
The transition to AVs poses challenges such as job losses for human drivers, necessitating a humane response.
Public acceptance of autonomous vehicles will be crucial, as society must reconcile expectations of safety with technological advancements.
Sustainability remains a priority for Uber, aligning their developments in AV technology with electric vehicle adoption.

Summary

Applied AI at Uber

Kara Swisher sits down with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to explore how applied artificial intelligence is integral to Uber's operations. Everything from ride matching, route optimization, and pricing strategies to customer service and the logistics behind Uber Eats leverages AI technology. Khosrowshahi emphasizes that Uber is built on a foundation of AI rooted in practical applications, blending technology with real-world services.

The Future of Autonomous Vehicles

The discussion shifts to the future of autonomous vehicles (AVs), which Khosrowshahi believes represents a huge opportunity for Uber. He highlights the safety aspects of AVs, stating that algorithms can potentially reduce accidents significantly compared to human drivers. Despite the current limitations and costs, he envisions a future where AVs are a dominant mode of transportation, co-existing with human drivers in a hybrid model.

Job Displacement and Responsibilities

As AV technology progresses, concern arises regarding potential job displacement for human drivers. Khosrowshahi asserts that Uber takes its responsibility seriously and stresses the importance of finding alternative work avenues for those affected. He believes that maintaining a respectful, humane approach towards transitioning to AVs is essential, and that job creation in other areas of tech should accompany advancements in AI.

Challenges in Regulation and Public Acceptance

Kara and Dara discuss the regulatory hurdles surrounding AVs and the expectation society has for safety when it comes to AI. Khosrowshahi acknowledges that while AVs will likely be safer than human drivers, public perception and acceptance will remain significant challenges. He expresses hope for future collaboration between Uber and government entities to ensure a positive rollout of AV technology.

Environmental Considerations and Innovations

The podcast touches upon Uber's commitment to sustainability and the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). While acknowledging setbacks in reaching their goal of a fully electric fleet by 2030, Khosrowshahi emphasizes the potential for AVs to accelerate the shift towards EVs, creating a cleaner transportation ecosystem. The discussion includes innovations like drone and sidewalk robot deliveries, hinting at the multifaceted approach to Uber's growth.

Show notes

We're bringing you a special episode of On With Kara Swisher! Kara sits down with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to dig into how applied artificial intelligence works at scale.

At Uber, AI powers everything from pricing, routing, and customer service to autonomous vehicles and sidewalk robots that deliver food. It has partnered with more than 20 autonomous vehicle manufacturers, and it’s moving aggressively into robotaxis. And although it may take many decades, Khosrowshahi believes society may eventually decide humans aren’t safe enough to be trusted behind the wheel. Kara and Dara discuss what this all means for jobs, congestion, climate and Uber’s business model.

This conversation was recorded live at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center as part of its Discovery Series on artificial intelligence.
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The End of Human Driving? with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi | On With Kara Swisher