The Gig Economy Is Now the Training Layer for AI

DoorDash launched a program called Tasks that pays its 8 million U.S. delivery drivers to collect training data for AI and robotics systems. Drivers can accept assignments like filming themselves washing dishes, recording conversations in Spanish, or scanning supermarket shelves, with the footage used to train humanoid robots and AI models. Uber has introduced a similar program, reflecting how gig economy platforms are transforming into data collection networks that provide the real-world training information that AI systems need to function.