“they are only as smart as what the programmer provided”
Nope. AI consistently excogitates beyond what the programmer provided.
“A computer cannot make it’s own decision.”
Once a computer calculates which actions lead to the wrong result, it will decide not to choose them. It will only ‘choose’ a possible or probable calculation.
“It still needs data to learn from.”
Nope. It is now routine for an AI program to look for it’s own data.
“It seems that they are still not able to collect enough data…”
Yes. Because driving a car is not a computable scenario. It’s an experience. Which machines can’t have without actually sensing reality. Data will never be enough to fully drive a car.
As for the link, it has no concept of AI and is just comfort for whatever reason one thinks the sky may be falling.