Americans Wary of Driverless Cars Amid Job Loss, Inequality Fears

UC San Diego study reveals economic concerns could hinder widespread AV adoption

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A new national study from the University of California San Diego reveals that Americans' doubts about driverless cars aren't just about safety, but also the technology's potential economic impacts - especially job losses in driving and delivery work, and the possibility that automated vehicles (AVs) could widen income inequality. The study analyzed responses from over 4,600 U.S. adults and found that 85% believe widespread AV use would lead to job losses, while over 46% think it would increase the income gap between higher- and lower-income Americans.

Why it matters

This study highlights a critical tension between the public's willingness to embrace driverless cars and their fears about the broader social and economic changes the technology could bring. While the technical performance of AVs is important, public trust is also shaped by concerns about who will benefit and who will bear the costs of this transition.

The details

The study found that groups more aware of and technologically savvy about AVs tended to be more willing to ride in driverless cars, but were also more likely to believe the technology could worsen income inequality and disrupt jobs. In contrast, lower-income respondents and those in rural areas were less inclined to adopt AVs and expressed stronger concerns about negative economic impacts. The researchers argue that a purely technical approach to AV adoption is unlikely to be enough, and call for a 'socio-technical' strategy that pairs technological development with proactive policy to address economic anxieties and equity concerns.

  • The study analyzed responses collected from November 1-7, 2021.

The players

University of California San Diego

The university where the study was conducted.

Behram Wali

The lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the UC San Diego School of Social Sciences.

Pew Research Center

The organization that conducted the American Trends Panel survey, which provided the data for the study.

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What they’re saying

“Driverless cars are often framed as an engineering challenge, but it's also a profound sociotechnical transition.”

— Behram Wali, Assistant Professor, UC San Diego (Mirage News)

“This study develops a new behavioral framework to reveal a critical tension: how Americans willingness to embrace driverless cars is directly tied to their fears of job loss and income inequality.”

— Behram Wali, Assistant Professor, UC San Diego (Mirage News)

“We cannot afford a laissez-faire approach to AV regulation. Policymakers must ensure that underrepresented groups are not left behind.”

— Behram Wali, Assistant Professor, UC San Diego (Mirage News)

What’s next

Policymakers will need to develop strategies to address the economic concerns around driverless cars, including workforce protection, reskilling initiatives, and programs to ensure equitable access, in order to build public trust and facilitate widespread AV adoption.

The takeaway

This study highlights the complex socioeconomic implications of driverless cars, showing that public acceptance of the technology is not just about safety and performance, but also deeply tied to concerns about job displacement and income inequality. Addressing these broader societal impacts will be crucial for the successful integration of autonomous vehicles.