Uberings and Uberchats: Following the Money literally follows the money and educates you, the intelligent and thoughtful reader, about the ridesharing industry from an insider’s perspective. The book takes a serious, in-depth look at how Uber uses artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and deep mining technologies to harness and manipulate personal/private information in order to tap into human compulsive and impulsive tendencies and, consequently, gain the power to control all aspects of our daily activities. The breadth and implications of such neuropsychological applications of these novel technologies is still to be understood and this book is intended to be part of that record.These technologies not only facilitate connectivity, but also make mobility seamless and convenient by utilizing privately-owned and driven cars operating on a flexible schedule with opportunities for these independent business owners (IBOs) to make money on a part-time or full-time basis. The result: Uber and Lyft have successfully overcome the generational challenges that have historically plagued taxi companies and drivers. As a driver and author, my goal is to engage you, the reader, in a ride with me as I drive under the influence of my phone (DUIMP), which presents simply as an ornament with a user interface. This ride not only help guide you make money if you want to drive for any of these companies, but also exposes their weaknesses and cases where they have mislead important stakeholders like their driver partners, their customers and the broader public. If you are an investor, the book presents financial details and analyses to help guide any future projections of profitability or changes in the business models of these transportation network companies (TNCs). The book tries to envisage different future of mobility scenarios with a mix of ride-sharing, mass public transit, and cost-saving and environmentally friendly alternatives given current and future trends of more urbanization as young people leave rural areas and move to big cities. Progress and challenges facing aerial ride-sharing, electric powered trains, AI-improved public bus systems, robotaxis (autonomous taxis) and self-driving cars (autonomous vehicles) are covered with examples.
