Bridging AI Inequality in Digitally-Mediated Gig Work
This research project seeks to study and mitigate the growing inequality between platforms and workers in digitally-mediated gig work caused by artificial intelligence (AI). The project specifically targets app-based ridesharing, a newly emerging industry with more than 1.5 million drivers in the United States as of 2023. In ridesharing, concerns of inequality such as income disparities and workplace discrimination are frequently observed and reported. The project will first measure and characterize such AI inequality in rideshare platforms. Based on the derived insights, the research team will design, create, and deploy an AI-enabled data-driven decision-making support system for drivers to help them plan for their work in their best interests, with a long-term goal of bridging AI inequality in rideshare platforms. Outcomes from this project will also benefit other domains of on-demand gig work with algorithmic management, such as online freelancing and data annotation.