2025AD: What impact will AI have on the jobs of the future?

Martin Ford: One thing we know is that artificial intelligence and similar technologies are going to automate a lot of work that is routine and predictable. So, the best kind of training is training that prepares you to do things that aren’t predictable. That might include things that are more creative and things that involve forming deep interactions with other people. Things that involve empathy or understanding others - those kinds of human-type jobs. Those are probably the things that you want to emphasize.

2025AD: What impact will automated driving have on our society?

Ford: It will have all kinds of impacts. I think it will certainly save a lot of lives once that technology is perfected. It will totally redefine cities, because you’ll need less room for parking as automated cars are utilized more. So, its’s going to be completely transformative in many positive ways for society I think.

2025AD: What does it take to create public trust in driverless cars?

Ford: Well, it’s a complex problem. I think part of it is transparency - so that people understand how the technologies work so that they are not so mystical and like black boxes that operate in ways that people don’t understand. Part of it might mean regulation, having the confidence that there are laws and regulations that govern the way these technologies work so that it is not just depending on individual companies to make the right choices. That’s something I think that has to evolve over time. But I do think that as these technologies become more prevalent, as they become demonstrably effective and they produce better outcomes, people will begin to trust them and that’ll be a good outcome.

2025AD: How will you spend your time during the ride once cars are self-driving?

Ford: I’d say most of the time I’d probably work. I’d probably be on the internet working but maybe if I had a late night I’d probably sleep, who knows. That’s the whole point of it – that you can do whatever, at that moment, makes sense for you.

2025AD: In 2050, will humans still drive cars themselves?

Ford: I think some people probably will. I mean some people like to drive. It’s going to be very hard to stop everyone from driving. I think some societies might make that choice. Eventually they might say it’s too dangerous for human beings to drive because we’re not very good at it compared to computers – but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I think right now there are a lot of people that really enjoy driving and want to do it. So, I think people will continue to drive for the foreseeable future.