DoorDash announced on Thursday the launch of a new standalone “Tasks” app, aimed at compensating its delivery couriers for completing assignments that enhance artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic systems. The new app will enable couriers to earn money for various activities, including filming daily tasks or recording themselves speaking different languages, according to a blog post from the company.
DoorDash stated, “This data helps AI and robotic systems understand the physical world.” The pay for these tasks will be determined upfront based on the effort and complexity involved in each activity. This initiative follows a growing trend among delivery companies to utilize their workforce for AI training purposes, with DoorDash’s app designed to harness the skills of its couriers to improve operational efficiencies.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the original audio and video footage provided by couriers will be used to enhance both DoorDash’s in-house AI models and those developed by its partners across various sectors such as retail, insurance, hospitality, and technology. One specific task example involves couriers capturing footage of themselves washing dishes while wearing body cameras, ensuring that each clean dish is visible for a few seconds.
DoorDash is not alone in exploring this avenue; last year, Uber unveiled plans that allow drivers to earn additional income by performing small tasks, such as uploading photos to aid in training AI models. This competitive strategy reflects the increasing reliance of tech companies on gig workers to refine their technological offerings.
In addition to the standalone Tasks app, delivery couriers will see new digital tasks listed on the existing Dasher app. Examples include helping restaurants showcase their menus through real photographs of dishes or capturing images of hotel entrances to assist delivery drivers in locating drop-off points. A notable task listed in the app includes DoorDash’s partnership with Waymo, which pays couriers to close the doors of self-driving vehicles.
Ethan Beatty, General Manager of DoorDash Tasks, emphasized the potential for the app to benefit businesses by providing insights into field operations while offering couriers opportunities to earn money on their own terms. “The goal of Tasks is to help more businesses understand what’s happening on the ground and gather new insights, all while giving Dashers a new way to earn on their own terms,” Beatty stated. With over 8 million Dashers in the U.S. alone, the app aims to leverage their extensive reach and flexibility to digitize real-world tasks.
The Tasks app and in-app tasks are currently available in select locations across the U.S., although California, New York City, Seattle, and Colorado are excluded from this initial rollout. DoorDash has indicated plans to expand the types of tasks offered, as well as to explore new geographic markets in the future.
This innovative approach highlights a significant shift in how gig economy companies are utilizing their workforce, not only for traditional delivery tasks but also for activities that can enhance AI capabilities. As more companies move toward integrating AI into their operations, the role of gig workers in the training and development of these technologies is likely to expand, reshaping the future of labor within the tech sector.
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