Tesla CEO , Elon Musk and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick among speakers
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Transportation of the Future Discussed at World Government Summit in Dubai
Tesla CEO , Elon Musk and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick among speakers
The future of transportation , specifically the impending arrival of autonomous cars , was a major topic at the second day of the 5th annual World Government Summit attended by 4,000 global leaders from 139 countries in Dubai .
Elon Musk , CEO of Tesla , said that although driverless cars will be a “ great convenience ,” it will result in 12 % -15 % job loss . “ We need to find new roles for those people ” as increased manufacturing of autonomous cars will be “ very disruptive and very quick .”
In an earlier conversation on “ The Future of Mobility ” with Travis Kalanick , CEO and co-founder of Uber , he predicted roads will be populated with self-driving automobiles , eliminating traffic jams in as few as 5 years . He also said that 1.3 million individuals die annually from car accidents . “ There will be no more traffic accidents ” with self-driving cars .”
Uber will continue to evolve , Kalanick said . “ We will partner with the car industry . We want cars to be available everywhere every time efficient , quick , reliable , affordable , and fully democratized . Push a button and go where you want to go .” ( Last month , Uber announced a partnership with Daimler to manufacture autonomous cars .)
His three year vision is ambitious : “ Uber is at the beginning of becoming a robotics company ,” Kalanick commented . “ Once movement in cities becomes autonomous , there will be all sorts of interesting robotics challenges .”
Musk also sounded a cautionary note to governments as technology continues to improve efficiency , saying a “ universal basic income ” will be necessary as there will be “ fewer jobs that a robot cannot do better .”
Prior to the session with Musk , Mattar Al Tayer , Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority announced that human carrying drones are expected to be introduced into service within the public transport system by July 2017 .
Climate change and food security were also key themes of the day . Prime Minister of
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