Uber's Ambitious AI Expansion: From Ride-Sharing to Everything App
Uber, the ride-sharing and delivery giant, is making a bold move into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). During its recent earnings call, Uber executives revealed their plans to leverage AI in two key areas, showcasing the company's ambition to become an AI powerhouse alongside its existing services.
Micro-Tasks and AI Training
One innovative initiative is the introduction of 'Digital Tasks,' a program that allows Uber drivers and couriers to earn extra income by training AI models. Users can complete micro-tasks such as uploading photos, annotating security footage, recording native language audio, submitting documents, or evaluating responses. This feature is currently available in India and the United States, with Uber aiming to expand its reach and attract users beyond its current driver base.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi highlighted the expertise required for certain tasks, mentioning the need for PhDs in fields like physics. This initiative is part of Uber's AI Solutions division, which is attracting a growing customer base.
Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Transportation
The second AI-driven strategy revolves around Uber's vision of an 'everything app' for transportation. The company aims to integrate human drivers with autonomous vehicles in a single marketplace. To achieve this, Uber is investing heavily in robotaxis, partnering with Nvidia to build a fleet of 100,000 vehicles, with production set to begin in 2027.
Despite the long-term profitability challenge, Uber remains optimistic about the future of autonomous vehicles. Khosrowshahi predicts that within a decade, every new car sold will have autonomous capabilities, leading to a safer world.
However, this expansion into AI and autonomous vehicles comes at a time of public scrutiny. The recent incident involving a cat killed by a Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco has sparked debates and calls for legislation to regulate autonomous vehicles. Uber's plans to test robotaxis in San Francisco add to the controversy, as the company navigates the challenges of public perception and safety concerns.
