The introduction of self-driving cars would definitely displace a large number of jobs - especially truck drivers - but this is not exactly a new trend. Technological unemployment has been affecting the job distribution for hundreds of years, with inventions like the wheel, plow, tractor, weaving machine, etc having a huge impact. In the 1900s, 41% of the workforce was in agriculture, by the 30s it was nearly half that at 21.5%, and in 2000 it was 1.9% [1].
I'm definitely interested to see how this iteration plays out over the next few decades.
I'm definitely interested to see how this iteration plays out over the next few decades.
[1] http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/259572/eib3_1_.pdf [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_unemployment