Uber’s latest gig work: Train AI to earn extra cash

Uber’s U.S. drivers and couriers have a new way to earn extra money.

The ride-hail app announced on Thursday a new pilot program that will offer gig workers the opportunity to train artificial intelligence (AI) through so-called “digital tasks.”

They include simple, quick tasks for workers such as uploading photos, recording themselves speaking in their native language, and submitting documents written in different languages—which are then fed into AI models. Uber already offers this for gig workers in India.

“A lot of these tasks are digital, meaning you can do them from your phone . . . from anywhere, and at the same time create earnings opportunities,” Sachin Kansal, Uber’s chief product officer, said at the company’s “Only on Uber” event in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

“Drivers have asked for more ways to earn, even when they’re not on the road,” CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement to Business Insider. “[We’re] giving drivers more ways to earn during downtime.”

The pilot, which allows gig workers to complete quick digital tasks in the Driver app, is powered by Uber’s AI Solutions Group.

How Uber’s “digital tasks” work

The digital tasks are only available to drivers and couriers who’ve opted in. Once they’ve signed up, they will occasionally see invitations to complete the tasks in the Opportunity Center.

Once available, users can view the full list before they begin (each task is optional)—including an estimate of how much time it will take and how much they will earn. After the tasks are completed, payment is added within 24 hours.

Uber Financials

Uber Technologies, Inc (UBER) was trading down nearly 3% in afternoon trading on Thursday.

Uber’s reported second quarter earnings, for the period ending June 30, beat estimates with revenue of $12.65 billion (versus estimates of $12.46 billion). Earnings per share (EPS) came in at 63 cents. At the time, the company also announced the authorization of a $20 billion stock buyback.