The 'Waymo effect': how frictionless AI is quietly making research less collaborative
steipete · x · 2026-10-02
An essay in Research Agenda coins the "Waymo effect": once technology removes the friction of dealing with other humans, people quietly start preferring their own company. The author draws on the mild existential vertigo of hailing a driverless Waymo in San Francisco and instinctively nodding at an empty driver's seat.
Comparing notes in person with Macmillan Learning CEO Susan Winslow on how AI is reshaping research and education, the two agree that frictionless AI tools are quietly eroding collaboration in academic research — and argue research leaders should be worried.
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