DoorDash introduces ‘Tasks’ app to pay couriers for AI training videos

DoorDash announced on Thursday that it is rolling out a new, standalone app called “Tasks,” designed to let its delivery couriers earn additional income by completing assignments that contribute to the development of artificial intelligence and robotic systems. Through this new platform, couriers can take on activities such as filming routine tasks or recording themselves speaking different languages, according to the company.

“This data helps AI and robotic systems understand the physical world,” DoorDash said in a blog post. “Pay is shown upfront and determined based on effort and complexity of the activity.”

According to Bloomberg, the audio and video content submitted by workers will be used to assess both DoorDash’s internal AI models and those created by its partners across industries, including retail, insurance, hospitality, and technology.

One example of a task includes asking a courier to record footage of their hands while washing at least five dishes using a body camera, ensuring each cleaned dish is held within the frame for a few seconds before proceeding to the next, Bloomberg reported.

DoorDash is not alone in leveraging its gig workforce to support AI development. Last year, Uber revealed plans to allow its drivers to earn extra money by completing small assignments such as uploading images to help train AI systems.

Beyond the standalone Tasks app, DoorDash is also integrating digital “Tasks” directly into the existing Dasher app. These can include helping restaurants present their menus by photographing dishes or hotel entrances, making it easier for drivers to locate delivery points. The company’s collaboration with Waymo is also featured, in which couriers are compensated for tasks such as closing the doors of self-driving vehicles.

“The goal of Tasks is to help more businesses understand what’s happening on the ground and gather new insights, all while giving Dashers a new way to earn on their own terms,” said Ethan Beatty, general manager of DoorDash Tasks, in the blog post. “There are more than 8 million Dashers who can reach almost anywhere in the U.S. and who want to earn flexibly beyond delivery. That’s a powerful capability to digitise the physical world.”

The in-app Tasks feature and the separate Tasks app are currently available in selected regions across the United States, with exclusions including California, New York City, Seattle, and Colorado. DoorDash has indicated that it plans to expand both the range of available tasks and its geographic availability in the future.