Uber’s AI Gig Work Expansion: Drivers Can Now Boost Earnings During Downtime
Uber drivers just got a new revenue stream—and it doesn't involve driving.
The AI Gold Rush Hits the Gig Economy
Uber's launching artificial intelligence tasks for its army of drivers, letting them earn during those frustrating downtime hours between rides. Think data labeling, image verification, and other micro-tasks that keep the AI engines humming.
Drivers can now monetize their waiting time instead of staring at empty streets. It's a clever pivot—using existing infrastructure to tap into the booming AI training market.
Because nothing says 'innovation' like finding new ways to squeeze productivity out of human capital. Wall Street's probably already calculating how this 'efficiency play' might justify another round of layoffs elsewhere.
Welcome to the future of work—where you're not just a driver, you're also training the machines that might eventually replace you.
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Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced the news at the Only on Uber 2025 event in Washington, D.C., where the company highlighted updates based on driver feedback. He said that the changes come after more than 60 feedback sessions with over 100 Uber team members. Furthermore, Uber spokesperson Meghan Casserly confirmed that while these are AI-related jobs, the company doesn’t disclose what the projects are or who the clients are. Separately, Uber also announced several new features that are designed to improve the driver experience.
For instance, its women rider preference option, which allows women drivers to be paired only with women riders, will now expand to cities like Baltimore, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Additionally, drivers can now set a minimum rider rating to avoid being matched with low-rated passengers and adjust that rating depending on the time of day. Finally, a new delayed ride guarantee will also give drivers extra pay if a trip runs more than five minutes late, depending on the cause of the delay. However, in some cases, Uber says the added cost may be passed on to the rider.
Is UBER Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on UBER stock based on 29 Buys, four Holds, and zero Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average UBER price target of $110.79 per share implies 20.7% upside potential.
