Gig Economy, Platform Work & AI

AI is deeply embedded in the gig economy, and the relationship is often uncomfortable. Ride-hailing platforms use algorithms to set prices, assign rides, and evaluate drivers. Food delivery platforms use AI to optimise routes and estimate delivery times. Freelance platforms use algorithmic matching and ranking to connect workers with clients. In each case, AI systems make decisions that directly affect workers' livelihoods - and those workers typically have little visibility into how those decisions are made and limited ability to challenge them. Algorithmic management - where an AI system effectively serves as a worker's boss - raises specific concerns about fairness, transparency, and worker autonomy. Drivers report being deactivated by opaque algorithms with no clear explanation or appeal. Delivery workers describe being pushed toward unsafe speeds by aggressive time estimates. Freelancers find their visibility on platforms rising and falling based on factors they can't see or control. Courts and regulators in several jurisdictions are beginning to address algorithmic management specifically, requiring transparency about how automated systems affect workers and providing rights to human review. If your business uses AI to manage a workforce - whether employees or contractors - understanding these emerging obligations is essential.