🔍 What’s Going On?
Earlier this month, Meta (the company behind Facebook and Instagram) bought nearly half of Scale AI, a startup that provides labeled data for training AI models. That deal was worth around $14–15 billion.
But there’s a catch: Big clients like Google and OpenAI didn’t like that Meta now has access to a company they used to trust. Some of them paused their projects with Scale AI.
🤖 Uber’s Big Move
Just a few days later, Uber announced "Uber AI Solutions" — their new global business for AI data services.
Here’s what they’re offering:
Data labeling (text, audio, image, video)
A global team of gig workers with specialized skills (like coders, linguists, lawyers)
Tools to help companies train and test their own AI systems
💡 Why This Matters
Uber is turning its experience with gig work and tech into a new business. Instead of just rides and deliveries, they’re now entering the AI industry.
They already have:
A massive global network of workers
Secure payment and task systems
Tons of real-world data from Uber rides, Eats, and more
📈 What’s In It for Uber?
Benefit Description
New income source AI services can bring in more profit than ride-sharing
Investor excitement Uber’s stock went up 1.5% after the news
Better position in tech Uber could become a serious AI player like Scale, Appen, or Turing
⚠️ Challenges Ahead
Uber must handle labor laws and worker rights in many countries
They’ll face strong competition from Scale AI (now backed by Meta) and others
They need to earn trust as a neutral, high-quality AI partner
✅ Final Thoughts
Uber saw a chance—and they took it. With Meta’s deal causing uncertainty, Uber is offering a fresh alternative in the AI space.
If they can deliver great quality and stay independent, Uber might become one of the big names in AI infrastructure, not just transportation.
Carlos, thanks for sharing — super interesting post!
It’s fascinating to see how Uber is pivoting from its core business into AI infrastructure. Leveraging their existing gig worker model and logistics platform for data labeling feels like a smart move, especially with the current shake-up at Scale AI. It’ll be interesting to see if clients view Uber as a trustworthy, neutral player — that could be their key advantage in this evolving space.