Uber CEO Predicts 15-Year Shift to Robotaxis

• Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi warns of autonomous vehicles replacing human drivers by 10–15 years.
• The transition poses challenges for gig workers as Uber prepares for automation through partnerships.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced during the "All-In" podcast summit that autonomous robotaxis could replace human drivers within the next decade to decade and a half. He stressed the inevitability of this shift and acknowledged the profound societal implications for millions of gig workers who depend on ride-sharing platforms for income.

On September 19, 2025, Cryptopolitan reported Khosrowshahi’s remarks on the tipping point towards driverless technology within this timeframe. He stated that Uber would rely on human drivers in the next five to seven years due to the company’s expansion but reiterated automation as the industry's ultimate direction. While autonomous vehicles are expected to deliver safer and more efficient services, their adoption raises questions about economic disruption for gig workers dependent on the ride-sharing economy.

Uber has been actively preparing for automation by forging strategic partnerships with autonomous technology leaders. Collaborations include Waymo, Alphabet's subsidiary, to deploy driverless cars in cities like Atlanta and Austin. Cryptopolitan reports some Uber users in Atlanta are opting for robotaxi rides over human-driven options. Additionally, Uber’s $300 million deal with Lucid and Nuro commits to launching a fleet of 20,000 self-driving vehicles over six years.

Khosrowshahi acknowledged the challenges posed by automation, particularly its impact on employment. He shared that Uber is exploring alternative forms of gig work, such as data labeling for artificial intelligence, to address potential job losses in the driving sector. While demand for human drivers on Uber’s platform remains strong today, the company’s evolving plans signal a significant industry transformation that could redefine the future of ride-sharing.

As of September 19, 2025, 12:00 UTC, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at $27,347, with a 3.4% increase in 24-hour trading volume, according to CoinMarketCap.