A report released last week from the Executive Office of the President says automation and artificial intelligence will create a huge reduction in the number of jobs in the United States, particularly driving jobs.

Heavy and tractor-trailer jobs are expected to suffer the largest reduction in jobs with a potential 80-100% loss, and light-truck and delivery drivers are looking at losing 20%-60% of their jobs.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that there is no definitive timeline for this process and it could take so many years before these changes take place that many of the drivers currently on the road will be retired.

The report highlights that the White House is aware of the threat that automation presents for professional drivers and it is starting to explore ways to deal with the potential job losses. One plan is to educate and train displaced workers for new careers, including the need for workers that are able to develop and manage the automation technology.

The Executive report is the most recent in a number of reports forecasting massive job losses due to automation and artificial intelligence. A paper published in 2013 by Oxford University researchers, for example, estimated that as many as 47 percent of all jobs could eventually be automated.

The fear of future significant job losses has led to discussion on how to help those displaced. Some experts propose paying everyone a regular lump sum of money to either complement or replace their earnings, arguing it will be more efficient than administering social service programs.

The White House argues that we should focus on education and job training. “We should not advance a policy that is premised on giving up on the possibility of workers’ remaining employed,” the paper says. “Our goal should be first and foremost to foster the skills, training, job search assistance, and other labor market institutions to make sure people can get into jobs.”

Source: Wired, CDL Life