The choice of those training sets, including their contents, their size, how they are consumed, and the algorithms they are fed to, affects the output. Therefore, programmers make decisions. It is unavoidable.
Even if they weren't, it is unrealistic to assume that programmers have no input into the decisions that go into building the training set, which in this case involves where, and in what conditions, the prototype cars are driven.
Granted, though plenty of Uber drivers are probably also programmers, and I have made plenty of business decisions I probably should not have. But, I would hope this is held to a higher standard.