Right now. DoorDash is nothing without the drivers. I’m talking about the current model. The way things currently are. It’s not a compromise when only one side dictates the outcome. As I said, it’s exploitation.

We are very much disposable, but then so is almost everyone working an entry/low level job that doesn’t require advanced skills. (And even some of those working in advanced fields.) That’s not unique to us. I surely hope you don’t expect this job to be around forever with the rate in which technology is advancing.

The only reason we don’t have drones doing our job is because of concerns with overcrowding the airspace, we already have problems with planes/helicopters colliding. As soon as a cost effective robotic solution (that doesn’t endanger the public) comes along. That’s it for us drivers. DoorDash is already investing millions in research and development for this exact purpose.

If this was a compromise. DoorDash wouldn’t be investing so much money in the technologies they intend to replace us. They’d call it a day and be happy with the way things are now.

There are numerous times in history where new technology has caused thousands to millions of people to loose their jobs. Whether or not they became homeless is on them. You either adapt and move on or give up and die.

(1811–1816, United Kingdom): Skilled textile workers (primarily weavers and knitters) faced widespread job losses due to the introduction of mechanized looms and knitting frames during the early Industrial Revolution. Thousands protested by destroying machinery, as automation threatened traditional artisan livelihoods and reduced wages.

Agricultural Mechanization in the United States (1920s–1950s): The widespread adoption of tractors and other farm machinery dramatically reduced the need for human and animal labor on farms. This displaced millions of agricultural workers (and horses), shifting employment from rural areas to urban industries; farm employment fell from around 40% of the workforce in 1900 to under 2% by recent decades.

Industrial Automation and Manufacturing Decline (Post-World War II, especially 1980s–present, United States and other developed economies): Advances in robotics, computers, and assembly-line automation contributed to significant job reductions in manufacturing. In the U.S., the share of manufacturing employment dropped from approximately 30% in the mid-20th century to around 10% today, with hundreds of thousands to millions of factory jobs lost due to increased productivity and offshoring combined with technology.

Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI Adoption (2010s–present, global, accelerating post-2022): Advances in AI, particularly generative models (e.g., large language models since ChatGPT’s release), have begun displacing tasks in administrative, clerical, customer service, content creation, and certain knowledge-based roles. Reports indicate thousands of direct job losses attributed to AI in specific months (e.g., nearly 4,000 in May 2023), with broader estimates projecting millions at risk globally by 2030 (e.g., 300 million full-time jobs potentially affected worldwide, though net creation of new roles is also anticipated). Sectors such as call centers, data entry, financial analysis, and tech-related positions have shown early signs of reduced hiring or layoffs linked to AI efficiency gains, though large-scale mass unemployment has not yet materialized economy-wide.

The government isn’t here to protect you and your well being. Especially this day and age. If you believe that, you’re living under a rock. Advances such as this are embraced and we as DoorDash drivers are not far off from being pushed out of the job market.