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

What happened

DoorDash launched a new program called Tasks that pays its delivery drivers to complete activities like washing dishes, making beds, and filming everyday tasks to train AI models. The program allows drivers to earn extra money between deliveries or in their spare time by creating content that helps develop artificial intelligence systems. Drivers can also earn by taking photos of restaurant dishes or recording themselves speaking in different languages.

Why people care

This represents a notable expansion of the gig economy into AI training data collection, turning everyday workers into content creators for machine learning. It's part of a broader trend of companies finding creative ways to gather the massive amounts of human activity data needed to train AI systems.

The takes

Critics say

The program feels exploitative, asking gig workers to essentially surveil their own daily lives for corporate AI training. It blurs uncomfortable boundaries between work and personal space, potentially turning drivers' homes into extensions of their already precarious gig work.

Supporters say

This gives drivers flexible earning opportunities that can be done on their own schedule and in their own homes. It's voluntary work that helps advance AI technology while providing additional income streams for people who need them.

Sources