Lessons From One Future of Work: Opportunities to Flip the Gig Economy

Abstract

Pervasive technologies are already transforming "The Future of Work." Mobile technologies, IoT, and data promise efficient and convenient work "on-demand." They are convenient too for platform providers whose clean and efficient interfaces for consumers disrupt marketplaces, offering digitally mediated access to services at a click. These same technologies provide access to work and labor markets whilst undermining promising flexible work and access to sufficient work. The global gig economy is expanding. Increasing numbers of workers see gig economy work as their main form of employment, yet have little voice in the construction of systems on which they depend. We argue that technologists must work with gig workers, policy makers, and other stakeholders to address the adverse effects of technologies on gig workers. To better understand relationships between workers and the technologies they use, we describe insights from research carried out with U.K. cycle couriers. We reflect on technology's role in giving these workers' agency, rights, and equity by design.

Stakeholder-Centered AI Design: Co-Designing Worker Tools with Gig Workers through Data Probes

“…Researchers have also worked specifically with gig workers. Zhang et al [87] held co-design sessions with rideshare drivers to surface drivers' ideas for how to address or redesign algorithmic management; Bates et al [9] used co-design with courier drivers to examine their complex relationship with data, finding that reliance on PI tracking tools like Strava repurposed for gig work, can help fill the pieces left missing by the platform; and Alvarez de la Vega et al [4] utilized design fiction as a means of co-designing systems to support freelancers. Co-design has also been used as a method for creating PI systems [38,63,84], however, most such studies focus on users as consumers.…”

“…However, because of the opacity of the promotions, they lack the means to definitively prove this suspicion [87]. Surge promotions are Uber's method of matching the supply of drivers with the demand from riders 9 . Uber will temporarily create "surges" in high demand areas to incentivize drivers to relocate to those areas.…”