Gig economy workers face an uncertain future as artificial intelligence threatens to automate many popular gig jobs, according to Tim Fung, founder and CEO of Airtasker. In a recent interview with Business Insider, Fung warned that the rapid expansion of AI usage poses significant risks to current gig workers, particularly those in ride-hailing and delivery services.
Major gig platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash are already deploying self-driving vehicles for some deliveries, signaling a shift toward automation. Fung estimates that human ride-hailing drivers could be completely eliminated within just three to five years, a timeline that underscores the urgency of the AI disruption facing gig workers.
Beyond transportation and delivery, AI is expected to replace many workers in data science, coding, and engineering roles in the near term, Fung noted. These knowledge-based gig jobs, once considered secure, are increasingly vulnerable to AI automation as machine learning models become more sophisticated.
However, Fung offers a silver lining for gig workers willing to pivot: offline, hands-on trade work such as building fences, painting, and gardening will be “the last thing that gets automated.” Physical tasks requiring manual dexterity, on-site presence, and human judgment remain difficult for AI and robotics to replicate effectively.
Fung also suggested that this shift could benefit workers’ overall satisfaction. “I actually think that we will all be more satisfied if we are going out and doing the arts, the crafts, and the trades, versus doing more computer jobs,” he said, advocating for a return to tangible, physical work.
Airtasker, which Fung founded in Australia and expanded to the US in 2021, operates differently from traditional gig platforms. Rather than serving workers pre-set jobs with fixed payouts like Uber or DoorDash, Airtasker functions more like Airbnb, allowing people to post tasks and receive competitive offers from contractors. This marketplace model enables workers to negotiate prices and showcase their expertise through profiles, reviews, and ratings.
One Airtasker user has completed thousands of Ikea furniture assembly jobs, building a specialized brand around this skill. This ability to develop a reputation and command premium rates for specialized skills represents an alternative model for gig workers facing increased competition and declining earnings on traditional platforms. Many ride-hailing and delivery workers have reported falling earnings and are actively seeking alternative income sources, making platforms like Airtasker increasingly attractive.
Key Quotes
I actually think that we will all be more satisfied if we are going out and doing the arts, the crafts, and the trades, versus doing more computer jobs
Tim Fung, CEO of Airtasker, argues that the shift away from digital gig work toward physical trades could improve worker satisfaction, suggesting that hands-on work provides more fulfillment than computer-based tasks increasingly vulnerable to AI automation.
going to be the last thing that gets automated
Fung describes offline tasks like building fences and other trade work as highly resistant to AI automation, offering gig workers a safer career path as artificial intelligence eliminates digital and transportation-based gig jobs.
You can see I’m the best communicator, the most punctual, and the most skilled at these kinds of jobs
Fung explains how Airtasker’s platform allows gig workers to build personal brands around specialized skills through reviews and ratings, differentiating themselves in an increasingly competitive market where AI threatens commodity gig work.
Our Take
Fung’s three-to-five-year timeline for eliminating human ride-hailing drivers may seem aggressive, but it aligns with the rapid deployment of autonomous vehicle technology by major gig platforms. What’s particularly striking is his inclusion of data science and engineering roles among near-term AI casualties—positions traditionally considered safe from automation. This suggests AI’s impact will be felt across skill levels, not just low-wage work.
The recommendation to pivot toward trades represents a significant reversal of decades-long trends pushing workers toward knowledge economy jobs. However, Fung’s optimism about worker satisfaction may overlook the physical demands and lower social status often associated with trade work. The real question is whether the gig economy can successfully transition workers at the scale and speed necessary, or whether mass displacement will occur before alternative opportunities materialize. The gig economy’s AI reckoning has arrived, and workers have limited time to adapt.
Why This Matters
This story highlights a critical inflection point for the gig economy as AI automation accelerates. With millions of Americans relying on gig work for income, the potential elimination of ride-hailing drivers within three to five years represents a massive labor market disruption. The warning from an industry insider like Fung carries particular weight, as Airtasker directly competes in the gig economy space.
The distinction between automatable digital tasks and automation-resistant physical trades is becoming increasingly important for workforce planning. While white-collar workers in data science and engineering once felt insulated from automation, AI’s rapid advancement is upending traditional assumptions about job security. Conversely, skilled trades—often undervalued in recent decades—may offer more stable long-term employment prospects.
This shift could reshape education and career planning, potentially driving more workers toward vocational training and apprenticeships. For businesses, the message is clear: AI will fundamentally transform service delivery models, requiring strategic adaptation. The gig economy’s evolution from app-based commodity services to skill-based marketplaces may represent the future of independent work in an AI-dominated landscape.
Related Stories
- The Dangers of AI Labor Displacement
- The Future of Work in an AI World
- Microsoft AI CEO’s Career Advice for Young People in the AI Era
- AI’s Role in Tech Hiring Freeze: White-Collar Job Market Slump
- Business Leaders Share Top 3 AI Workforce Predictions for 2025
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/airtasker-ceo-gig-work-least-likely-to-be-automated-trades-2026-1