Uber launches new AI outsourcing unit for global gig economy
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Uber Technologies Inc. is making a significant push into the outsourcing market, expanding beyond its rideshare roots with the launch of Scaled Solutions, a new division focused on AI training and data labeling services.
This move taps into the growing demand for high-quality datasets to train AI models, positioning Uber to cater to businesses that require large-scale annotation tasks.
Global operations of Uber
The company is actively recruiting contractors across multiple countries, including India, the United States, Canada, Poland, and Nicaragua. These workers will be compensated based on completed tasks, with payments distributed monthly. To support this expansion, Uber is hiring account executives in major U.S. cities including San Francisco, New York, and Chicago to manage enterprise client relationships.
“Having performed these tasks at scale over the past decade as part of our own growth, we deeply understand the needs of companies requiring these services,” stated an Uber spokesperson, emphasizing how this initiative aligns with their position as “one of the world’s largest providers of flexible work opportunities.”
Expanding Uber’s gig economy to AI services
The San Francisco-based company is leveraging its expertise in managing gig workers to build a network of skilled contractors who can train AI models. These contractors will label images, text, and videos, helping machine learning systems recognize patterns and make accurate predictions.
Scaled Solutions has already secured notable clients, including Aurora Innovation Inc., which develops self-driving software for commercial trucks, and Niantic Inc., the creator of Pokémon Go. The latter is utilizing Uber’s contractors to evaluate location data for its ambitious project of creating a 3D world map for augmented reality games.
Service portfolio
The division’s services extend beyond basic data labeling. Contractors will evaluate AI model outputs, including responses from large language models similar to ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot. They will also assist in product localization and provide technical feedback on AI-generated coding solutions.
This move positions Uber to compete in a market where established players like Scale AI, valued at $14 billion, have already made their mark. The company’s internal team, spread across the U.S. and India, has already demonstrated success in various projects, including map validation, menu digitization for Uber Eats, and feature testing across multiple devices.
While Uber has not disclosed specific revenue targets or pricing structures for Scaled Solutions, this expansion represents a significant step in diversifying its business model beyond traditional ride-sharing and delivery services.
