What's happened
Uber is introducing a new gig category called 'Digital Tasks' in its driver app, allowing drivers in the US to earn money by completing simple AI training tasks during downtime. The initiative aims to diversify income sources amid automation and self-driving vehicle developments, with pilot programs starting soon.
What's behind the headline?
Uber's integration of 'Digital Tasks' signals a strategic shift towards leveraging gig workers for AI development, reducing reliance on traditional driving jobs. This move could accelerate automation, but also raises questions about the future of human drivers. The pilot aims to provide immediate income opportunities, yet it underscores the broader societal challenge of job displacement. The company's cautious approach—limiting tasks during driving—indicates awareness of safety concerns, but the long-term impact on employment remains uncertain. This initiative exemplifies how tech giants are reshaping gig work, blending automation with human labor, and potentially redefining the gig economy's role in employment.
What the papers say
Business Insider UK reports that Uber is rolling out 'Digital Tasks' in the US, allowing drivers to earn during downtime by completing simple AI training jobs like taking photos and uploading audio clips. The company emphasizes that these tasks are part of its broader AI Solutions Group, aiming to diversify gig work and counteract the decline of traditional driving jobs. Bloomberg highlights that this new job category will appear later this fall, offering quick, simple assignments to existing drivers. Both sources note Uber's intent to provide additional income streams amid the rise of autonomous vehicles and AI-driven services, with the pilot starting soon in the US, following successful programs in India. The articles collectively suggest Uber's strategic pivot towards integrating AI training into gig work, reflecting broader industry trends of automation and labor diversification.
How we got here
Uber has been exploring ways to supplement driver income as autonomous vehicle technology advances. The company already offers AI training tasks in India and is now expanding this model to the US. The move responds to driver concerns about job security and aims to keep gig workers engaged during non-driving periods.
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