In order to understand the impact of artificial intelligence on truck driving, you should be able to understand what it is first. It is the simulation of human intelligence in order for machines to be able to function and think like human beings.
This is done through programming computer systems and technology. Then, the system is implanted in different kinds of machines with the use of microchips.
The main goal of the existence of artificial intelligence is to help humans by providing a more cost-effective and efficient performance of work. It also helps to make the production of items better and faster. The use of artificial intelligence affects the overall quality of services performed, and products being made.
There are generally two kinds of artificial intelligence. These are the weak AI and strong AI.
The weak AI consists of those designed to perform a particular task. These include those used in cellphones like the Apple Siri and Samsung Bixby.
On the other hand, strong AI are those with generalized human cognitive abilities. Of course, the strong AI is smarter than the weaker AI since the former can easily find solutions to a problem it encounters without the need for human involvement. Both of these, however, can be used in controlling truck driving jobs.
Effects of Artificial Intelligence to Truck Driving
Due to the consistent development in science and technology, it has become less effective for some jobs to be conducted traditionally. It is said that in the next ten years, automation will most likely affect those in the food industry, the ones doing clerical work, and truck drivers.
The two kinds of artificial intelligence can easily be used to power the truck driving force. Primarily, because each caters to the different lengths traveled by each truck.
For example, the weaker AI can be used to assist a truck driver in managing his course of travel, looking for shortcuts and avoiding traffic. The driver simply mandates the AI to help him with his everyday work.
The stronger AI, however, can let go of the truck driver entirely. Since it is the kind of AI that can solve the problems it encounters and can decide like a human being, there is no need for human control. Unfortunately, as advanced as today’s technology is, humans are still far from making this kind of artificial intelligence that can take over truck driving jobs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Use of Artificial Intelligence
Clearly, the use of artificial intelligence poses great advancement to the present society. In the truck driving business, its effects may be both helpful and harmful.
On a positive note, since machines don’t need food, there is no need to provide for break times. Unlike humans, machines also lack feelings and emotions. Therefore, machines don’t get tired or disappointed with their work, prompting for undivided attention and better performance.
Machines need only proper maintenance and artificial intelligence needs only to be consistently updated and checked. Mass production of both would amount to greater volumes of trucks delivering to and fro different locations all over the world.
However, humans are given high regard for their intelligence, and no amount of artificial intelligence can be greater than that. Truck driving, in itself, is a very demanding job that requires skill and self-discipline.
While the use of artificial intelligence can fill in the requirements of the job in terms of skill and experience, the fault in its use comes in during unexpected circumstances. The AI only knows what it is programmed to know.
For instance, traffic rules can be changed in case of emergencies and other circumstances. If a truck being driven by using only an AI-controlled system was traveling during such a change in traffic rules, there is a possibility that it would not be able to find a solution to that problem because its system has not been updated.
Possibility of Artificial Intelligence Taking Over the Truck Driving Business
While it is inevitable that truck driving jobs would soon be automated as researchers claim, it is likely that this will apply only to truck drivers who drive short distances. Even that alone can take up to ten years.
Completely automating long distance truck driving jobs, as of now, would be detrimental to the goods transported. This also greatly concerns the safety of society.
A society not as advanced as the technology and machines put in it may suffer if thorough research is not conducted. This means that the complete use of artificial intelligence in recent times is proven to be more disadvantageous than advantageous.
Aside from the development of strong AI to be able to completely take over truck driving jobs, researchers and scientists would need to conduct a number of tests to perfect it. When it comes to the use of artificial intelligence, less than perfect is not acceptable.
Also, the use of artificial intelligence would only be beneficial to big companies and rich people. They are, after all, the only ones who can secure insurance over their goods on a daily basis. The use of AI is expensive and there is no assurance that a small deli or grocery store would be able to afford such services.
In conclusion, while automation in the truck driving industry can happen in more or less ten years, this will only be applied to short distance trips. Long distance trips cannot be fully automated yet because it needs more extensive research and a stronger AI.
The choices that ordinary people in society make cannot be transferred or copied to a microchip that easily. Researchers would still have to explore each and every choice and manner of thinking in order to input the right remedy for certain situations that may happen on the road during a trip.
Nothing can really compare to experienced truck drivers having an actual brain to travel the roads and deliver other peoples’ goods. People in society have already grown accustomed to this kind of set up and there is not much reason to change that.