The future of work in America is uncertain. What we know is that things are going to change. Technology will upend countless careers, workers across fields will be displaced, and it’s not entirely clear how many jobs will be replaced.

We’re already seeing semi trailer automation but when driverless trucks are manufactured at scale, which will happen far sooner than many realize (as soon as five years), America’s 3.5 million truck drivers will be dispensable. This will be a lot of jobs that millions of people have worked so hard to secure, lost. Just like that. Unbeknownst to a lot of people though, most truck drivers will be subjected to a dot background check before even being considered for the job, let alone hired. This is to check for previous alcohol and drug violations, as well as their own driving history. All of these aspects could hinder their opportunity at securing a job in this field. And if driverless trucks do come into fruition, all of their hard work will no longer matter. It is important to remember, however, that the introduction of driverless trucks doesn’t mean the profession of truck driving will disappear overnight, but it will shrink considerably.

According to Morgan Stanley, autonomous technology will save the freight industry $168 billion annually, nearly half of which will come from staff reductions.

Image: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre, in red tie) tours the Robotex 2013 Technology Exhibition and Robotics Competition at Tallinn University of Technology. UN Photo/Evan Schneider.