Uber cuts – Uber says it is recruiting fewer drivers in cities where autonomous vehicles are operating, a move CEO Dara Khosrowshahi links to keeping experienced drivers earning. He also argues automation is increasing overall demand in some markets. Even as Uber reduces
For many rideshare drivers, the fear has never been abstract. If robotaxis arrive, what happens to the people who make the job work today?
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi now appears to be acting on that shift. In an article published on Monday, Khosrowshahi told Fast Company that Uber is cutting back on recruiting drivers in cities where autonomous vehicles—such as those from Waymo—are operating.
Khosrowshahi’s reasoning was bluntly operational: having fewer new entrants in those markets helps ensure “that the drivers who are [already] in-market, who are experienced, and who’ve been with us through this whole journey continue to earn.”
The comments land in the middle of a wider debate that rideshare drivers have voiced for years: that the spread of robotaxis could squeeze their opportunities to earn a living.
But Uber’s message isn’t purely about reduction. Khosrowshahi said Uber believes that while it recruits fewer drivers, it’s seeing more drivers sign up as demand grows.
On Wednesday, speaking on an episode of the “Invest Like the Best” podcast, Khosrowshahi said the number of drivers joining the platform is increasing because “it looks like AVs are actually adding incremental demand to the platform,” referring to autonomous vehicles.
He also pointed to specific places where Uber has added driverless cars—Atlanta and Austin—saying human drivers there are busier than counterparts in cities without the technology. In those markets, Khosrowshahi said drivers are “making more money.”
Not everyone interprets the same set of facts as a straightforward win for drivers, though. An Uber spokesperson told Business Insider that both sides of Khosrowshahi’s statements “can be true at the same time. ” explaining that Uber is reducing its marketing spending in some cities while also seeing more drivers sign up for Uber on their own as rider demand rises.
Even with autonomous vehicles in the mix, Uber has been clear that the human workforce isn’t going away. Khosrowshahi said Uber will still need human drivers even when robotaxis are operating.
That position fits with a longer view from Uber leadership: Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s COO, said last year that the number of Uber drivers could rise in the coming years as more people choose ride-hailing services instead of owning cars.
All of it adds up to a more complicated picture than a simple “replace drivers” story—one where robotaxis may change how Uber allocates attention and recruitment. while Uber argues it can still translate autonomous adoption into stronger overall demand. For drivers in robotaxi cities. the real question becomes timing: whether the shift protects today’s earnings while the business adapts to a new kind of competition.
Uber robotaxis autonomous vehicles Dara Khosrowshahi Waymo rideshare drivers Atlanta Austin marketing spending Business Insider Fast Company Andrew Macdonald
So basically Uber’s pulling back drivers where robotaxis are… cool cool.
I don’t buy it. If robotaxis are “adding demand,” why are they recruiting fewer humans? Sounds like PR to me. My cousin drives Uber and they been cutting trips already.
Waymo can come to my area and still people will be like “what happens to drivers” but also… if the cars are cheaper then people will order more rides right? But then Uber is saying drivers make more money in Atlanta and Austin… so maybe it’s only certain neighborhoods? Idk.
This is gonna end with “experienced drivers” getting paid more while everyone else gets stuck trying to sign up and get nothing. Also didn’t they just say automation increases demand, but the whole point of AVs is no driver, so how does that math work? Feels like Uber’s trying to calm people down before they fully replace the fleet.