Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has warned that the widespread adoption of self-driving cars could lead to significant job losses for ride-hailing drivers, calling it a serious societal challenge. Speaking at a recent summit hosted by the "All-In" podcast, Khosrowshahi acknowledged that while human drivers will remain part of Uber’s network for the next five to seven years due to rapid technological rollout, the long-term outlook is concerning. He predicted that within 10 to 15 years, the shift toward autonomous vehicles will create a major disruption for gig workers. "This is going to be a real issue," Khosrowshahi said, admitting he doesn’t have a clear solution. "This is a big, big societal question that we're going to have to struggle with, and lots of others are going to struggle with too." The concern is growing as AI and automation advance. Uber’s partnership with Waymo, which has deployed self-driving taxis in cities like Atlanta and Austin, has shown promising results in efficiency and reliability. Early data suggests the autonomous vehicles outperform many human drivers in consistent performance and route optimization. Still, some Uber drivers remain skeptical. In interviews this summer, several drivers expressed doubt about the technology’s ability to handle everyday road challenges like potholes, construction zones, and unpredictable pedestrian behavior. Khosrowshahi noted that while AI may eliminate some jobs, it also creates new opportunities. Uber is expanding into AI-related roles for independent contractors, such as data labeling and content moderation, through its AI solutions division. These tasks help train and refine the company’s machine learning models. He also emphasized that Uber is actively working to diversify the types of on-demand work available on its platform. "We're expanding into other kinds of on-demand work as well to be able to adjust the kind of work available to people who want to earn on our own platform," he said. The conversation highlights the broader tension between technological progress and workforce displacement, especially in the gig economy. As self-driving technology matures, companies like Uber face the dual challenge of innovation and responsibility—balancing efficiency gains with the need to support the people who power their services.