AI is a disruptive technology with its impacts felt by the transportation sector. The automotive industry has focused heavy attention on applying AI to high volume daily tasks such as self-driving cars, driverless buses, and traffic management where safety and passenger trust are major concerns. Thanks to companies like WAYMO (a Google subsidiary), GM Cruise, and ARGO AI it is estimated that by the end of 2020, there will be 10 million self-driving cars on the road.

The airline industry and U.S. military have a vested interest in developing technologies aimed at removing some of the repetitive and mundane tasks of flight to assist pilots or even to create pilotless airliners, fighter jets, helicopters, and drones. Obviously, autonomous flight capabilities help commercial airlines save by removing the need to pay pilot salaries. However, it also protects the industry from shortages of qualified pilots it currently faces.