Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi cautioned investors against companies that merely ‘‘play-act’’ with artificial intelligence, urging them to distinguish between firms making substantive AI deployments versus those using the term as a marketing ploy. He highlighted Uber’s integration of machine-learning models in dynamic pricing, trip-assignment algorithms and fraud detection, noting that these systems handle over 15 million daily rides and delivery orders in more than 10,000 cities. Khosrowshahi emphasized the importance of end-to-end data pipelines and real-time model retraining, arguing that only companies investing heavily in infrastructure—such as high-performance GPUs, custom data centers and advanced analytics teams—will emerge as true AI winners over the next decade.

Despite a 8.8% decline in Uber’s share price over the past three months, concerns about robotaxi competition may be overstated, according to several analysts who point to robust underlying fundamentals. In the most recent quarter, global gross bookings grew 24% year-over-year to $32 billion, driven by a 20% rise in trip volumes and a 30% increase in average order value in the delivery segment. Adjusted EBITDA margins expanded by 3 percentage points to 14%, reflecting improved operational efficiency and tighter cost controls. Long-term investors are watching for sustained growth in core urban markets and the gradual monetization of new verticals such as freight and subscriptions, which could offer upside if valuations stabilize around current levels.

Addressing the timeline for autonomous vehicle (AV) integration into Uber’s network, Khosrowshahi identified affordability as the ‘‘biggest factor’’ limiting widespread adoption. He noted that current self-driving systems exceed $100,000 per vehicle when accounting for sensors, software and R&D amortization, making them cost-prohibitive in most ride-hailing markets. Uber projects that achieving price parity with human-driven cars will require 10 to 20 years of scale, driven by volume production, lower component costs and regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, pilot programs in San Francisco and Austin have completed over 300,000 autonomous trips to date, allowing Uber to refine safety protocols and dispatch logic in partnership with leading AV developers.