Lessons From One Future of Work: Opportunities to Flip the Gig Economy

Pervasive technologies are already transforming “The Future of Work.” Mobile technologies, IoT, and data promise efficient and convenient work “on-demand.” They are convenient too for platform providers whose clean and efficient interfaces for consumers disrupt marketplaces, offering digitally mediated access to services at a click. These same technologies provide access to work and labor markets whilst undermining promising flexible work and access to sufficient work. The global gig economy is expanding. Increasing numbers of workers see gig economy work as their main form of employment, yet have little voice in the construction of systems on which they depend. We argue that technologists must work with gig workers, policy makers, and other stakeholders to address the adverse effects of technologies on gig workers. To better understand relationships between workers and the technologies they use, we describe insights from research carried out with U.K. cycle couriers. We reflect on technology’s role in giving these workers’ agency, rights, and equity by design.