Komsan Chiyadis
GrabFood delivery-partner, Thailand
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Here's why AVs will create opportunities for Southeast Asia’s workforce
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September 20, 2025
The rise of self-driving cars paves the way for new opportunities. They could step in to complement regular, human-driven fleets where there are gaps. But autonomous vehicles (AVs) also raise concerns. How will they impact jobs and mobility as we know it?
What happens to jobs in the age of AVs?
In Southeast Asia, where ride-hailing has become a cornerstone of urban mobility, AV adoption is in its infancy. At Grab, we’ve rolled out AVs to shuttle employees between our Singapore Headquarters and the nearest MRT station. We will start offering AV shuttle services in Singapore’s Punggol community soon to make it more convenient for residents to get to key amenities, such as shopping centres and transport hubs like the bus interchange, and Punggol Coast MRT station.
(Read more: Here’s how to ride on the autonomous shuttle at Punggol)
We believe self-driving vehicles will eventually play a part in the mobility landscape of this region, including plugging essential gaps in first-and-last mile transportation options.
(Read more: Why is Grab exploring autonomous vehicles?)
Still, it’s natural to wonder how AVs will impact traditional driving jobs. Will many drivers eventually be replaced by machines? Will automation lead to unemployment? These are valid questions, and as a company built on economic empowerment, they’re close to our hearts.
Here’s the good news: History shows us that technological advancements don’t just displace jobs, they create new ones. The rise of computers didn’t reduce the need for human workers, it birthed entirely new ecosystems of software engineers, IT specialists, and digital businesses. Similarly, the rise of smartphones didn’t merely disrupt industries, it kickstarted ecosystems of app developers, digital marketers, and social media influencers.
We believe AVs are poised to do the same, creating new roles in fleet management, safety management, customer support, and more.
Beyond essential frontline jobs, AVs will drive demand for highly skilled roles like system engineers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists. These are potential career paths that offer stability, growth, and new opportunities for Southeast Asia’s workforce.
How we prepare drivers for the future through GrabAcademy
Since its launch in 2020, our training institution, GrabAcademy, has trained over 160,000 partners across 460 unique courses. Thousands have completed training in in-demand fields like data analytics, cybersecurity and digital marketing. GrabAcademy also offers diploma and degree programs with reputable tertiary institutions, as well as career facilitation services like resume enhancement and interview preparation.
For the AV shift, we will help partners transition into emerging roles through new training programmes. We’re focusing on foundational roles first that will grow alongside early deployments. These include:
- Safety operators: Supervising AV operations and ensuring passenger safety during the initial phases of deployment.
- Remote operators: Monitoring and intervening in AV operations from a centralized control center.
- Site coordinators: Managing AV fleets and ensuring smooth operations at depots and pick-up points.
- Customer service support: Assisting passengers and resolving queries related to AV rides.
(Read more: Just how safe are autonomous vehicles?)
We’re also laying the groundwork for advanced training in areas like AV maintenance and defensive driving, which will be critical as the ecosystem matures.
We’re committed to helping our community build the skills that will enable them to pursue new opportunities in the AV space.
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Komsan Chiyadis
GrabFood delivery-partner, Thailand
COVID-19 has dealt an unprecedented blow to the tourism industry, affecting the livelihoods of millions of workers. One of them was Komsan, an assistant chef in a luxury hotel based in the Srinakarin area.
As the number of tourists at the hotel plunged, he decided to sign up as a GrabFood delivery-partner to earn an alternative income. Soon after, the hotel ceased operations.
Komsan has viewed this change through an optimistic lens, calling it the perfect opportunity for him to embark on a fresh journey after his previous job. Aside from GrabFood deliveries, he now also picks up GrabExpress jobs. It can get tiring, having to shuttle between different locations, but Komsan finds it exciting. And mostly, he’s glad to get his income back on track.
