Part 4/9:
Unintended Consequences and the Need for Caution
Despite the optimistic outlook, history shows technological advances often have unforeseen effects. For example, the invention of the automobile spurred the growth of suburbs, drive-thru restaurants, and new lifestyles—unanticipated changes that reshaped society.
A key concern with autonomous vehicles is their potential to exacerbate current issues if not implemented thoughtfully. If AVs remain primarily privately owned and used as they are today, they could increase usage—leading to:
More energy consumption
Greater sprawl
Increased congestion due to longer commutes