Uber AI Solutions Targets Enterprise Market Amid Industry Upheaval

Uber is making a major push into the AI services sector, expanding its data labeling business just as the industry undergoes a dramatic shakeup following Meta’s $14.8 billion investment in Scale AI.

The move comes at a time when leading AI labs—including OpenAI and Google—are severing ties with Scale AI over concerns about data independence and privacy, leaving a gap that Uber is eager to fill.

On June 20, Uber announced a significant expansion of its AI data services division, now rebranded as Uber AI Solutions.

The company is making its internal technology platforms available to AI labs and enterprises worldwide, offering access to ready-made datasets, a global network of clickworkers, and advanced tools for training and testing large-scale AI models.

Uber’s platform, active in more than 30 countries, connects clients with tens of thousands of contractors handling tasks such as translation, coding, editing, and dataset labeling.

Megha Yethadka, general manager of Uber AI Solutions, explained that this expansion builds on Uber’s decade of experience managing massive data operations for its own business.

“We’re bringing together Uber’s platform, people, and AI systems to help other organizations build smarter AI more quickly.”

Uber first launched its data annotation tools for external clients in November 2023 under the name Uber Scaled Solutions.

The rebrand reflects a broader focus on serving the rapidly growing enterprise AI market, which is projected to surpass $17 billion by 2030.

Uber is also developing a user-friendly interface that will allow clients to describe their data needs in plain language, with the system automatically assigning tasks and overseeing quality control.

Meta’s Scale AI Deal Reshapes the Competitive Landscape

Uber’s expansion comes as the AI data labeling market experiences a seismic shift. Meta’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Scale AI and the recruitment of its CEO to lead Meta’s new Superintelligence Lab have unsettled Scale’s existing clients, including OpenAI and Google, who are now actively seeking alternative partners.

Concerns about data neutrality and privacy have prompted these firms to diversify their vendor portfolios, and competitors like Snorkel AI, Labelbox, and Handshake are reporting a surge in demand.

Uber’s unique advantages—its massive global contractor network, logistics infrastructure, and experience managing gig work—position it as a strong contender to capture business from companies seeking a neutral, independent data partner.

As AI models become more advanced, the demand for high-quality, complex data annotation is rising. Industry leaders note that the market is trending toward more specialized, skilled tasks, and Uber is betting that its flexible workforce model can meet these evolving needs.

Pay for Uber’s clickworkers ranges from $20 to $200 per hour depending on task complexity, and the company says its workforce has doubled since the start of the year.

With Big Tech expected to spend over $300 billion on AI in 2025, Uber’s aggressive entry into the data labeling space signals a new phase in the battle for AI dominance—one where control over data and the ability to deliver scalable, high-quality annotation services will be key differentiators.

Whether Uber can become the next major destination for AI data services remains to be seen, but its entry marks a pivotal moment as the industry redefines partnerships, privacy, and the very infrastructure that powers artificial intelligence.