Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Reveals AI Could Replace Drivers — and Himself

Breaking: Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says AI Could Replace Drivers and Even the CEO Role

In a candid interview, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi acknowledged that artificial intelligence could soon replace the company’s human drivers — and eventually, his own job. “If AI gets smart enough to run the company, then I’ll happily step aside,” Khosrowshahi said, hinting at a future where robots not only drive cars but also make executive decisions.

He revealed that Uber already has a rogue AI version of himself operating inside the company, though he declined to specify what decisions it makes. The revelation comes as Uber accelerates investments in autonomous vehicles, including a major stake in Rivian.

Background

Uber has long positioned itself as a mobility platform, but Khosrowshahi now envisions it as a full-fledged travel and lifestyle “everything app.” The company recently announced a partnership with Expedia to let users book hotels through the Uber app, alongside new perks like in-ride coffee, snacks, and even personal shopping.

These moves are partly a response to AI chatbots that promise to handle travel bookings autonomously. Khosrowshahi admitted that early AI integrations have been “clunky and slower than using the app directly,” but he sees significant potential in the long term.

Internally, Uber has embraced AI for software development. The company’s CTO recently revealed that Uber had exhausted its entire annual token budget by early April, highlighting an aggressive adoption of AI coding tools. Khosrowshahi said this has forced him to rethink hiring plans: “If AI can write code as well as a junior engineer, then I don’t need to hire as many.”

What This Means

For Uber’s 5 million-plus drivers worldwide, the writing is on the wall: autonomous vehicles are coming, and they may replace human drivers entirely. Khosrowshahi emphasized that Uber is investing heavily in self-driving technology, but he gave no timeline for when drivers would be phased out. “We want to make sure the technology is safe and reliable first,” he said.

For software teams, the shift is already under way. Khosrowshahi expects AI to blur the lines between product managers, designers, and engineers, potentially flattening organizational hierarchies. “The role of the CEO might be next,” he joked, before clarifying that he expects AI to assist, not replace, leaders — at least for now.

Investors are watching closely. Uber’s stock has fluctuated on news of autonomous vehicle milestones, and the company’s $500 million investment in Rivian signals a long-term bet on electrified, self-driving fleets. Khosrowshahi remains confident that AI will unlock new efficiencies, but he warned that the transition will be messy.

For more details on Uber’s autonomous vehicle strategy, see our coverage of Uber’s Rivian investment.

Uber’s Autonomous Push and the Driver Dilemma

Khosrowshahi outlined key milestones he’s watching: better perception in bad weather, cheaper sensor costs, and regulatory approvals. Once those boxes are checked, he expects robotaxis to proliferate on Uber’s network.

Meanwhile, the CEO is preparing for a future where AI doesn’t just drive cars — it drives the company. “Maybe in five years, I’ll be replaced by a bot that’s better at negotiating and strategizing,” he mused. “But until then, I’m focused on making sure Uber survives the transition.”