The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has been hailed as a significant step forward in streamlining business operations and improving efficiency. However, the rise of AI has also come with its fair share of controversies, particularly when it comes to worker rights. In a recent development, Just Eat UK couriers have reportedly been “deactivated for minor overpayments” due to AI error. This raises important questions about the role of technology in the workplace and the need for companies to ensure fairness and accountability in their use of AI.
According to a report by Worker Info Exchange, many Just Eat couriers in the UK have been removed from the platform for alleged overpayments as small as £1.35, which the workers contest. Many drivers, who are often low-income migrant workers, described being removed from the platform with little explanation. Just Eat highlighted just two or three orders in each case, claiming that drivers recorded themselves as waiting for an order while GPS showed them straying away from the restaurant. Their accounts were deactivated for these waits, triggering payments worth an average of £1.44 for each driver. Concerns are growing that hiring and firing decisions are being made by algorithm with little human oversight, leaving workers few opportunities to challenge them. Just Eat commented that their system flags potentially fraudulent activity and then is examined by a human being before deactivating a courier’s account. The company offers holiday pay and other benefits to independent self-employed contractors, while being classified as a worker guarantees couriers at least the legal minimum hourly wage, holiday pay, and pension rights.
As our world progresses further with artificial intelligence, its reach extends beyond simple tasks and into more complex ones. The case of Just Eat UK couriers being deactivated for minor overpayments highlights the potential pitfalls of relying solely on algorithms to make decisions. As we continue to integrate AI into various industries, it is important to consider the human impact and potential errors that can occur. The Just Eat incident serves as a reminder that as advanced as technology is, it must still be monitored and overseen by humans to ensure a fair and just outcome for all involved.
