Zero-Emissions? Where do they think electricity comes from? Tell that to the people (mostly lower-income and minority) who live next to power plants.

Corporate profit seems to be the primary impetus for this stuff. The chair of the Planning Commission in Los Altos turned control of his Tesla over to a computer when he fell asleep while under the influence of alcohol. His lawyer now accuses the car of doing the driving. And the car wasn't drunk. So, we can admit, self-driving is better than drunk driving. But who pays when computers do not get the job done? And can self-driving cars and trucks be commandeered? By whom? Well, How about Russia or (mainland) China or terrorists or domestic extortionists? I am leary of programmed computers running the world. And what about computers and technology that obtains their own agenda. Skynet was it? Maybe someone will come back from the future in time to save us from oblivion. Call me crazy. But then take a look around - maybe in the mirror.

I agree with the above post, but I would add the threat of alien manipulation. What happens if the aliens take control?

We need to put more money in tin foil hat technology development.