Millions of Indians rely on delivery, ride-hailing and other platform-based jobs for their livelihoods. As AI makes these services more efficient, questions about earnings, ratings, safety and worker protections are becoming increasingly important.
A New Challenge for India’s Gig Workers
India’s gig economy is expanding, creating opportunities for people who want flexible or platform-based work. But the technology connecting customers with delivery partners and drivers is also changing how these workers do their jobs.
A Financial Express report published on 12 October 2026 examines how AI and automated systems are reshaping delivery work, including route planning, incentives and performance ratings.
The change is not simply about robots replacing people. In many platform jobs, technology already influences which tasks appear in an app, how work is organised and how performance is assessed.
When an App Becomes the Manager
Digital platforms can help workers find customers, navigate unfamiliar areas and complete tasks efficiently. However, workers may also depend on systems whose decisions are not always easy to understand.
