Video still from Truckers, 2020.
Just about everything we own is delivered by trucks. Truck drivers were once known as the mavericks of the open road. While we see trucks everywhere we go, what’s less visible is the artificial intelligence built into the cabs of the 1.8 million long haul truck drivers in the US, a clear example of human-machine coalescence. With the rise of artificial intelligence and the speed of the Amazon economy, truckers are facing changing working conditions, new privacy regulations, and new forms of monitoring.
Juxtaposing interviews with truck drivers and industry workers, with excerpts from technology providers, Truckers explores how new technologies and expectations are reshaping the working conditions, economic provisions, and lives of America’s truck drivers.
Read the Lumen Prize interview about the film.
Truckers, Video, 13 min., 23 sec., 2020. Written, produced, and directed by Brett Wallace. Filmed and edited by Brett Wallace and Maral Satari. Post-production support by Toby Shimin and David Claessen.
Thank you to the truckers and workers who appeared in this film. Thanks to Karen Levy, associate professor of Information Science, Cornell University and John R. Aiello, professor of psychology, Rutgers University for their participation and industry insights.
Video still, Benancio Mendoza, Truckers, 2020.
Video still, Truckers, 2020.
Video still, Truckers, 2020.
Video still, Truckers, 2020.
Video still, Walter Avila, dropping off at Hudson Yards, New York, NY.
Video still, Jesse Lopez, Kearny, New Jersey.
Video still, Truckers, 2020
Video still, Truckers, 2020.
Video still, Truck Stop, Kearny, New Jersey.
Video still, Dennis Sutton, trucker, changing the oil on his truck before a long haul, Kearny, New Jersey.
Truckers, video installation, 2020. Installation dimensions: 38 (H) x 33 (D) x 77.5 (W) inches. Materials: bed, mattress, night light, headset, gloves, hat, t-shirt, magazine, time log, monitor and arm, video, vinyl. Photo: Marc Tatti from the exhibition, “The Question of Intelligence: AI and the Future of Humanity” curated by Christiane Paul, PhD. at the Parsons School of Design/New School, New York.
Truckers, video installation, 2020. See details above.
Truckers, video installation, 2019. NURTUREart gallery, Brooklyn, NY.
Truckers, video installation, 2019. NURTUREart gallery, Brooklyn, NY.