DoorDash and Uber Transform Freelance Work

DoorDash and Uber Diversify Gig Workers' Tasks

DoorDash, in partnership with Uber and other companies like Instacart, is exploring new avenues for gig workers by offering tasks that go well beyond simple food deliveries or passenger transport. These companies are looking to leverage their network of workers to collect essential data, including photographing store shelves or participating in the training of artificial intelligences (AI).

The new tasks offered by DoorDash, dubbed "DoorDash tasks," include activities such as taking photos of store shelves to monitor inventory or assisting autonomous delivery vehicles. These initiatives represent a significant extension of the traditional role of delivery workers, illustrating how gig work is adapting to the growing technological needs of businesses.

A New Gig Work Model

The era of simple meal delivery seems to be over, as DoorDash now offers missions that could well define the gig work of tomorrow. In addition to photographing shelves, workers may be involved in AI training by performing various tasks such as filming daily activities or recording conversations in different languages. According to Taylor Manley, an analyst at Guggenheim Securities, this strategy allows DoorDash to utilize its existing workforce to enhance its AI and retail technologies.

While the complete automation of these tasks is a future prospect, for now, they provide additional income opportunities for gig workers. Manley emphasizes that this approach combines traditional solutions with modern problems, illustrating a gradual transition toward automation.

Instacart and Uber Follow Suit

DoorDash is not alone in this endeavor. Instacart has also experimented with features allowing workers to photograph shelves to track inventory and inform food brands about the presentation of their products. Uber, for its part, employs gig workers for tasks ranging from driving to AI training, even involving degree-holding workers.

A Supplemental Source of Income

For now, these new tasks primarily serve as supplemental income for delivery and transport workers. However, the evolution toward greater automation could transform these tasks into primary activities. A DoorDash gig worker in Texas shared her experience with Business Insider, describing a mission where she took about 180 photos of specific sections of a supermarket, such as dairy products and cereals, for a payment of $36 in 30 minutes.

Although this task was less physically demanding than grocery delivery, she chose to continue focusing on deliveries, having earned $62 for an order shortly afterward. This anecdote illustrates the choice workers must make between these new opportunities and traditional tasks, depending on profitability and personal preference.