DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart have quietly launched a new way for gig workers to earn — and it has nothing to do with delivering food or driving passengers.
They’re now paying workers to train AI.
DoorDash calls it “Tasks.” Uber calls it “Digital Tasks.” Instacart piloted shelf photography. All three are leveraging their millions-strong workforce to collect real-world data that powers artificial intelligence.
Here’s what this means for you and how to cash in.
What Exactly Are These “Tasks”?
Instead of picking up burritos, you’re now:
- Photographing store shelves — snap pics of cereal aisles, dairy sections, product displays
- Recording conversations in non-English languages — helping train speech recognition AI
- Filming everyday activities — loading dishwashers, folding laundry (for robotics training)
- Taking photos of restaurant dishes — populating digital menus
DoorDash rolled out Tasks in March 2026 through both a standalone app and inside the Dasher app. Uber’s Digital Tasks program goes even further — they’re recruiting workers with advanced degrees for specialized AI training.
How Much Does It Pay?
It varies. Here’s a real example from a Texas worker who tested it:
- Task: 180 photos of grocery store sections (dairy, cereal, etc.)
- Time: ~30 minutes
- Pay: $36
Not terrible — that’s $72/hour equivalent. But the same worker noted she earned $62 for a single grocery delivery right after, so traditional gigs still pay more for now.
The real play? Stack these tasks between deliveries. When it’s slow at 2 PM on a Tuesday, knock out a few photo tasks instead of sitting in a parking lot.
The Bigger Picture: AI Is Coming for Gig Work
This shift is massive. Here’s why:
- Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi predicted robotaxis could take over within the next decade
- DoorDash has 8 million+ Dashers — that’s an instant data collection army
- Uber has 7 million+ monthly drivers/deliverers
The platforms are preparing for a future where autonomous vehicles handle deliveries. But in the meantime, they need human workers to train those systems.
“We are making investments in creating alternative methods of making money for our earner base.” — Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO
How to Get Started
1. Check your app — DoorDash Tasks is rolling out in select U.S. markets (not available in California, NYC, Seattle, or Colorado yet)
2. Look for “Digital Tasks” in Uber — available in the driver app
3. Instacart — shelf photography may appear as an in-app opportunity
These tasks are designed to be done on your own time, between deliveries, or whenever you have spare minutes.
The Bottom Line
Gig work is evolving fast. The workers who adapt and learn these new earning methods will have a major advantage as AI reshapes the entire industry.
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What do you think about gig workers training AI? Drop a comment below.
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