Why Waymo’s Driverless Taxis Threaten All of Us: A Message from Mikaiil Hussein, Exec. Director of United Taxi Workers of San Diego

When you hear about Waymo bringing driverless taxis to San Diego, I understand if you’re excited about the technology. Progress is important. But you should know what’s really at stake. My name is Mikaiil Hussein, and as Executive Director of the United Taxi Workers of San Diego (UTWSD), I am fighting for fair treatment and a future for all working families impacted by driverless vehicles in San Diego.

Driverless Cars Mean Human Drivers Lose Their Livelihoods

Let me be clear:
Driverless cars… you know what that means? That means the regular human being will lose their business. That’s what that means.

I represented hundred of professional drivers from countries all over the world since 2009 right here in the city of San Diego. For us—and for our families—this is not about fear of technology. It’s about watching our jobs be erased, our small businesses wiped out, and an industry we built with our own hands handed over to robots and big tech companies like Waymo.

The Truth About “Innovation”

Waymo talks about safety, efficiency, and convenience. They claim their self-driving taxis in San Diego will “complement” the existing system. But in reality, every new autonomous vehicle takes away an opportunity for a hardworking San Diegan to provide for their loved ones.
No robot knows the streets of San Diego like we do—no algorithm can tell you where to get the best taco in Barrio Logan, how to cut through Gaslamp traffic at rush hour, or share a laugh after a tough day. We talk to people. We help tourists, newcomers, and our neighbors get where they need to go. You can’t replace that with code.

Unfair Competition and the Disappearance of Jobs

Make no mistake:
When you put robotaxis on the road, you’re asking San Diego taxi drivers and rideshare workers to compete with a machine that doesn’t get tired, doesn’t need healthcare, and doesn’t send its paycheck home. That’s not competition—that’s erasure.
We at the United Taxi Workers of San Diego are taking this fight to the city and state. We’re advocating to the California DMV, the Public Utilities Commission, and every leader who will listen. Driverless taxis in San Diego threaten taxi jobs, rideshare drivers, and the economic stability of entire families.

The Human Connection Is What Sets Us Apart

For years, we’ve built relationships—with passengers and with this city. When you get in my cab, you get expertise, honesty, and a connection to the culture of San Diego. What will be left if we let machines handle it all? A cold experience, a lost opportunity for real community, and more people struggling to make ends meet.

A Call to San Diego: Let’s Not Forget the People

I’m not against technology. I’m for fairness, for jobs, and for the soul of this city. If you care about your neighbors, about responsible innovation, and about keeping San Diego streets vibrant and safe, now is the time to speak up.
Autonomous vehicles are coming fast. But that doesn’t mean we have to lose ourselves—or our livelihoods—in the process.

Stand with the United Taxi Workers of San Diego. Stand with your community. Join myself and other taxi drivers who are having the conversation about the true impact of driverless taxis in San Diego.