Mitigating harms in on-demand delivery platforms

The regulation of employment and artificial intelligence (AI) in the platform economy matters at both an individual and social level. The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) estimates that there are 1.1 million people in Britain’s gig economy. These workers increasingly operate in the growing e-commerce environment and with “rapid” (or “quick”) commerce infrastructure. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated both participation in the gig economy and the growth of rapid commerce. The way we work and consume are changing, and innovations in AI, machine learning, and algorithmic management are central to both economies. However, on-demand delivery work can be dangerous work. On-demand platforms are marked by “exploitative practices, which have become widespread and institutionalised”. Intervening in these work-related risks and exploitative practices requires a concerted effort to bridge the gap between employment rights and the proposed regulation of AI in the UK, as well as strong data protection rights.