Seafarer union Nautilus International is urging caution as the IMO meets to discuss autonomous shipping.
It warned that neglecting "human factors" could pose big threats to safety and the environment.
The IMO is meeting on Wednesday to kickstart its two-year review of the regulatory framework governing the operation of autonomous ships.
Nautilus has carried out a survey of nearly 1,000 maritime professionals and will present the findings to the IMO on Wednesday.
