Uber is giving select drivers in the U.S. a fresh way to earn money through tasks unrelated to driving. Later this fall, some drivers will see a new category called “digital tasks” in the Uber driver app, offering short assignments they can complete on their phones, away from their cars.
The initial tasks include things like uploading documents, such as restaurant menus, or recording audio samples, often in multiple languages. According to Uber’s Chief Product Officer, Sachin Kansal, the tasks are simple, quick, and payouts vary depending on the time needed for each job. More assignments will be added over time.
“These stints currently include uploading documents like restaurant menus or recording audio samples of themselves narrating a scenario in various languages,” Kansal said. “More tasks will be added over time, and the payout will vary based on the time commitment of each assignment.”
Why This Matters for Drivers
Uber’s digital tasks are part of a growing push into data labeling, which helps train artificial intelligence models. While companies like Scale AI have attracted billions in investment for similar work, Uber sees this as an opportunity to provide additional income streams for drivers already on the platform.
Kansal emphasized that digital tasks aren’t a response to autonomous vehicles replacing drivers, but a way to expand earning potential.
“It’s an interesting coincidence that this has been the year of us launching a lot of AV partnerships,” he said. “But if you look at the actual reality on the ground, we have hundreds of AVs. We have eight-and-a-half to nine million drivers on the ground. So we are at a very, very, very early stage.”
Tested Internationally, Rolling Out in the U.S.
Uber has trialed digital tasks in India before expanding to the U.S. Some of these assignments on the company’s web-based platform have been more complex, involving coding, translation, and content editing in multiple languages, but the driver-facing tasks remain lightweight and phone-friendly. Over time, Uber may open these gigs to non-drivers, but the priority is enhancing income opportunities for existing drivers and couriers.
Additional Driver App Updates
The announcement coincides with Uber’s annual driver-focused event in Washington, DC. The company is also rolling out other features: female drivers can now choose to be paired with women riders in certain cities, including Baltimore, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Seattle, DC, and Portland, Oregon. Nationwide, drivers can now set a minimum passenger rating for riders, helping ensure safer and more pleasant trips.
“Digital tasks are designed to be simple enough for drivers to complete on their phones while they’re away from their cars,” Uber said, “providing more ways for drivers to earn and engage with the platform.”
This new addition could mean extra cash between rides, giving drivers a flexible way to supplement income without leaving the Uber ecosystem.
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