DoorDash is rolling out a fresh initiative that offers delivery workers an opportunity to earn additional income by participating in AI training activities. The new "Tasks" application enables couriers to take on various assignments that support machine learning development, including recording themselves performing routine activities or demonstrating language skills through video submissions.
How the program works
The Tasks app functions as a side gig platform where couriers can browse available assignments and choose which ones to complete. Work ranges from straightforward video recordings—such as capturing everyday actions—to more specialized tasks like speaking in different languages for voice recognition systems. Each completed assignment comes with monetary compensation, giving workers a way to supplement their primary delivery income.
This move reflects a broader trend in the gig economy where companies are turning to their existing workforce to generate the data necessary for artificial intelligence training. Rather than hiring separate contractors or relying entirely on external data collection services, DoorDash can leverage its large courier network to create authentic, real-world footage that helps refine AI models.
Implications for workers and AI development
The initiative presents a mutually beneficial arrangement: couriers gain flexibility and extra earnings potential outside their normal delivery schedules, while DoorDash obtains valuable training data for its AI systems. As the company continues developing automation and machine learning tools, having access to diverse video content from actual workers could accelerate development cycles and improve model accuracy.
Source: TechCrunch AI