74.0% chaos · heated corporate chaos 4 sources 23h ago

DoorDash launches a new ‘Tasks’ app that pays couriers to submit videos to train AI

What happened

DoorDash launched a new 'Tasks' app that pays its delivery drivers to create content for AI training. Drivers can earn extra money by filming themselves doing household chores like washing dishes, cooking, and making beds, or by recording themselves speaking in different languages. The company positions this as short activities drivers can complete between deliveries or in their spare time.

Why people care

This represents a new frontier in gig economy labor, where delivery drivers are now being asked to train the AI systems that may eventually replace them. The irony hasn't been lost on observers that DoorDash is essentially paying workers to help automate their own jobs away.

The takes

Critics say

This is peak dystopian capitalism - paying gig workers poverty wages to train the robots that will eventually eliminate their jobs. It's exploitative to ask drivers who are already struggling financially to help develop the technology that threatens their livelihood.

DoorDash says

This is simply providing drivers with additional earning opportunities during downtime or off-hours. The Tasks app gives couriers flexible ways to supplement their income while contributing to helpful AI development that could improve services for everyone.

Sources