Uber is fundamentally redefining “downtime” for its gig workers. Instead of sitting idle while waiting for the next fare, U.S. drivers can now use their smartphones to complete quick digital tasks and earn extra cash between rides. But will these microjobs be enough to solve the perennial problem of driver churn — and secure Uber’s workforce for the future?
Uber launches digital tasks to help drivers earn extra cash between rides
Uber is giving its drivers a new way to make money—without ever hitting the road. The company announced on October 16 that it will soon introduce a “digital tasks” feature in its U.S. driver app, allowing drivers to complete short, smartphone-based jobs tied to Uber’s growing data-labeling business.
The new option, expected to launch later this fall, adds a fresh income stream for drivers during downtime between rides. Assignments may include uploading restaurant menus, tagging photos, or recording voice samples in multiple languages—small but essential contributions that help train Uber’s artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Payments will depend on the task’s complexity and time requirement, Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal told Bloomberg.
According to Uber, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to make gig work more flexible and appealing. While some might see it as preparation for a future shaped by autonomous vehicles, Kansal clarified that the move isn’t about replacing drivers but empowering them. By giving workers more ways to earn without relying solely on passenger fares, Uber hopes to attract new drivers and reduce turnover—long one of the biggest challenges in the gig economy.
The company views the digital tasks feature as another step toward redefining how drivers engage with the platform, turning idle moments into meaningful earning opportunities that keep them connected and motivated.
Uber emerges as a growing force in AI
What many passengers and riders don’t realize is that Uber isn’t just a ride-hailing company anymore—it’s quietly becoming a player in the AI space. Behind the familiar driver app lies Uber AI Solutions, a growing division that helps train the very technologies powering the next wave of smart systems.
The unit provides data annotation, translation, and AI model training services to enterprise clients, drawing on Uber’s vast global network of gig workers to complete these tasks efficiently and at scale. According to PYMNTS, the division now operates in 30 countries and recently launched new tools for building datasets used to train multimodal and agent-based AI systems. Uber says the goal is to merge its technical expertise with its worldwide operations to help organizations build scalable AI pipelines—while creating new ways for its workforce to earn.
That mission has accelerated with Uber’s recent acquisition of Segments.ai, a lidar and multi-sensor annotation startup specializing in robotics, mapping, and autonomous technology. The Segments.ai team has joined Uber AI Solutions to strengthen its labeling capabilities and expand its customer base for perception and sensor data services.
Can Uber’s digital tasks fix its driver retention problem?
Whether Uber’s new digital tasks feature will be enough to attract and retain drivers remains uncertain, but it’s a promising start. On one hand, the initiative offers something many gig workers crave: flexibility and more earning opportunities without additional time behind the wheel. By turning idle minutes into income, Uber is addressing one of the most common frustrations among drivers: downtime that doesn’t pay. The added sense of productivity and variety could help strengthen loyalty, especially among part-time drivers who appreciate small, steady boosts to their earnings.
However, the program’s success will likely depend on how much these microtasks actually pay and how consistently they’re available. If the compensation feels insignificant or the tasks are too sporadic, the novelty may fade quickly. Uber’s challenge isn’t just to give drivers more options, but to make those options meaningful enough to offset rising costs and competition from rival gig platforms.
In short, digital tasks may help keep some drivers engaged, but solving Uber’s long-standing driver retention problem will require more than a few smartphone-based side jobs — it will take sustained incentives, fair pay, and trust in the platform’s long-term vision.