DoorDash just dropped something nobody expected.
A brand new app called Tasks — and it pays you to do things like wash dishes, fold laundry, make your bed, and cook with a frying pan.
No, seriously.
DoorDash is paying people to film themselves doing household chores to train AI robots.
The new DoorDash Tasks app — available now in select US cities. Source: TechCrunch
What Is DoorDash Tasks?
DoorDash Tasks is a standalone app (separate from the regular Dasher app) that pays couriers and gig workers to complete short activities. The data collected — videos, photos, audio recordings — is used to train AI systems for businesses across retail, insurance, hospitality, and tech.
Think of it as getting paid to create training data for robots and AI assistants. Except instead of sitting at a computer labeling images, you're filming yourself doing everyday stuff in your own home.
This is DoorDash's play into the AI training data market — the same market where companies like Babel Audio ($17–60/hr) and Appen ($10–25/hr) already pay people. DoorDash is leveraging its 8+ million courier network to collect real-world data at massive scale.
What Tasks Can You Do?
There are two types of tasks:
1. Household / AI Training Tasks (Standalone App)
These are filmed at home on your own time. You record yourself doing everyday activities:
| Task | What You Do | Why AI Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| Washing dishes by hand | Film yourself handwashing dishes | Trains robotic arms to handle dishes |
| Loading a dishwasher | Record loading/arranging dishes | Teaches robots spatial arrangement |
| Making a bed | Film bed-making start to finish | Trains hospitality robots |
| Cooking with a frying pan | Record cooking a simple meal | Trains kitchen automation AI |
| Trimming plants | Film garden/plant maintenance | Trains landscaping robots |
| Spanish conversations | Record unscripted Spanish chat | Trains multilingual voice AI |
Each task shows pay upfront before you accept it. Payment is based on effort and complexity.
2. On-the-Go Tasks (Inside Dasher App)
These are quick tasks you can do between deliveries:
- Photograph restaurant dishes — help restaurants showcase their real menu items
- Photograph hotel entrances — help delivery drivers find drop-off locations
- Scan store shelves — help with inventory tracking
- Assist autonomous vehicles — help a self-driving delivery bot get back on track
How Much Does It Pay?
DoorDash hasn't disclosed specific pay rates yet, but here's what we know:
- Pay is shown upfront — you see exactly how much before accepting any task
- Pay varies by complexity — filming a cooking session pays more than a quick photo
- No minimum hours — do one task or twenty, completely flexible
- Paid through DoorDash — same payout system as regular Dasher earnings
DoorDash hasn't published average rates or floor guarantees for Tasks yet. Based on similar AI training work on other platforms (Babel Audio pays $17–60/hr, Appen pays $10–25/hr), we'd expect Tasks to pay somewhere in the $10–30/hr range for video recording tasks. We'll update this article when specific rates are confirmed.
Where Is It Available?
DoorDash Tasks is currently rolling out in select US cities.
Select cities across the US. Check the Tasks app for availability in your area.
- California
- New York City
- Seattle
- Colorado
If you're in an excluded area, don't worry — similar AI training work is available now on Babel Audio, Appen, and Scale AI nationwide. Read our complete AI side hustles guide for the full list.
How to Get Started
- Download the DoorDash Tasks app — it's a separate app from the regular Dasher app
- Sign up / log in — you may need an existing Dasher account
- Browse available tasks — see what's available in your area with upfront pay
- Accept and complete — follow the instructions, record/photograph, submit
- Get paid — earnings added to your DoorDash payout
The smartest Dashers will do at-home tasks during slow delivery hours (late mornings, early afternoons) and switch to food delivery during peak hours (lunch 11–1, dinner 5–9). And between deliveries, knock out quick on-the-go photo tasks. This way you're earning during every hour of the day — not just when orders are coming in.
Why This Is a Big Deal
DoorDash Tasks signals something important: AI training is becoming a mainstream gig.
A year ago, "train AI for money" sounded weird. Now the biggest gig economy company in America is paying millions of couriers to do exactly that. This legitimizes AI training as a real income stream — not just a niche tech thing.
It also means more competition for existing AI training platforms. Which is good for workers — more competition means better pay and more available tasks.
DoorDash Tasks vs Other AI Training Platforms
| Platform | Task Type | Pay | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash Tasks | Video recording, photos, chores | TBD (per-task) | Select US cities |
| Babel Audio | Voice recording, conversations | $17–60/hr | Nationwide (remote) |
| Appen | Data labeling, transcription, voice | $10–25/hr | Worldwide |
| Scale AI | AI evaluation, data labeling | $15–50/hr | Worldwide |
| ElevenLabs | Voice licensing (passive) | Passive royalties | Worldwide |
If Tasks isn't available in your city yet, you can start earning from AI training today on Babel Audio, Appen, or Scale AI. All are free to join, work from home, and pay weekly. Our AI Side Hustles guide covers all the platforms with signup links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Dasher to use the Tasks app?
The Tasks app is designed for DoorDash couriers, but DoorDash hasn't confirmed whether it will open to non-Dashers. Signing up as a Dasher is free either way — apply here.
Can I do Tasks without doing deliveries?
The standalone Tasks app appears to work independently from delivery work. You can do at-home tasks without ever delivering a single order.
What equipment do I need?
A smartphone with a decent camera. That's it. No special equipment, microphones, or lighting needed for most tasks.
Why is DoorDash paying for household chores?
The video data trains AI robots and automation systems. Companies in hospitality, retail, and tech need real-world footage of humans doing everyday tasks so their robots can learn to replicate them. Your dish-washing video literally teaches a robot how to wash dishes.
Is this available in California or New York?
Not yet. California, NYC, Seattle, and Colorado are currently excluded — likely due to labor law differences in those areas. Check back regularly as DoorDash may expand availability.
Related Guides
- AI Side Hustles: No Skills to Expert ($10–200/hr) — the complete guide to every AI earning opportunity
- Get Paid to Chat — 3 Apps That Pay You to Talk
- DoorDash & Delivery Driver Guide — maximize your Dasher earnings
- 7 Gig Jobs You Can Start Today
- Side Hustle Tax Guide — track your Tasks earnings for tax time
- Browse 140+ Gig Platforms
- Gig Worker Calendar — plan your hustle around peak events
Final Thought
DoorDash paying you to wash dishes and fold laundry sounds like a joke. But it's real — and it's a sign of where the gig economy is heading.
AI companies need human data. Gig platforms have millions of humans ready to provide it. The result? More ways to earn money doing things you already do every day.
Whether you use DoorDash Tasks, Babel Audio, Appen, or all of them — the message is clear: your everyday actions have value. Start getting paid for them.