DoorDash launches a new ‘Tasks’ app that pays couriers to submit videos to train AI
Dashers can now earn extra cash by filming everyday tasks like washing dishes to train AI models.
DoorDash has launched a new, stand-alone 'Tasks' app that transforms its 8 million delivery couriers into a distributed data-collection workforce for training AI models. The platform allows 'Dashers' to earn extra income by completing specific assignments, such as filming themselves performing everyday tasks like washing dishes while wearing a body camera or recording speech in different languages. According to Bloomberg, this original audio and video footage will be used to evaluate both DoorDash's in-house AI models and those developed by its partners across retail, insurance, hospitality, and technology sectors. Pay is determined upfront based on the effort and complexity of each activity.
This initiative is part of a broader trend of gig economy platforms leveraging their workforces for AI development, following a similar move by Uber last year. In addition to the stand-alone app, new digital 'Tasks' are being integrated into the main Dasher app, including simpler jobs like taking photos of restaurant menus or hotel entrances to improve delivery logistics. A notable existing partnership with Waymo, where couriers are paid to close the doors of self-driving cars, is also listed as a task. The service is currently available in select U.S. markets, excluding California, New York City, Seattle, and Colorado, with plans to expand task types and geographic reach.
- The 'Tasks' app pays DoorDash's 8 million couriers to generate AI training data through activities like filming tasks or recording speech.
- Submitted video and audio footage is used to train both DoorDash's in-house AI models and those of its retail, insurance, and hospitality partners.
- The app expands the gig economy model into AI data collection, following Uber's similar move, and is launching in select U.S. markets.
Why It Matters
It creates a massive, on-demand dataset for real-world AI training and gives gig workers a new revenue stream beyond traditional deliveries.