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The professor is teaching a class on science. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.
In your response, you should do the following.
- Express and support your opinion.
- Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Professor: In our upcoming classes, we will take an in-depth look at autonomous public transit systems. Such systems utilize technology to operate vehicles without human drivers, potentially increasing efficiency and safety while reducing operational costs. However, they also raise questions about employment in the transportation sector and the reliability of technology in public safety. With this in mind, do you oppose or support autonomous public transit systems?
Marco: I’m in favor of autonomous public transit. It’s not only about cutting costs but also improving consistency and safety. Autonomous vehicles can reduce human error, which is often a leading cause of accidents. This could make public transit a safer option for everyone.
Sofia: Marco raises valid points about safety and cost, but I’m concerned about the impact on jobs. Implementing these systems could lead to significant job losses for drivers. Also, relying heavily on technology might pose risks if systems fail or are hacked. Therefore, I believe a hybrid approach, where we use some autonomous transport while keeping current means of transportation in place, might be safer and more sustainable.
Sample Response
I support autonomous public transit systems because they offer a safer and more efficient way to move people. Autonomous vehicles remove the chance for human error. Actually, in 2018 a self-driving shuttle was tested in France and it completed thousands of trips with a 90 percent on-time rate and no reported accidents, showing that the technology can work well in real-world conditions. I understand that some worry about the loss of jobs for drivers, and I agree that this is a serious concern. However, I do not think that this issue should stop us from using new technology because workers can be retrained to manage and maintain these systems. Sofia raised a good point about the risk of system failures and hacking, and I share that concern, yet I believe that careful planning and strong security measures can reduce these risks.