Algorithms don’t care: how AI worsens the double burden for Indonesia’s female gig workers

2026-04-13 · Source: Artificial intelligence (AI) – The Conversation · Field: Science & Research — Social Sciences & Behavioral Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resources & Workforce Development · Depth: Intermediate, short

Summary

Research on Indonesia's gig economy reveals "AI colonialism," where Global North-based AI platforms perpetuate colonial exploitation by extracting data and labor from Global South workers, particularly women. Platforms like Gojek, Grab, Maxim, and Shopee digitize informal labor without providing formal contracts or social protections, classifying workers as partners. This structure disproportionately impacts women due to the "double burden" of paid work and unpaid care, as algorithms reward constant availability and fail to account for caregiving responsibilities, safety concerns, or social norms. Female drivers face reduced job offers for logging off, lower performance metrics for taking breaks, and gender bias from passengers, which algorithms do not recognize, leading to lower earnings and increased working hours. The system's design prioritizes efficiency over equity, translating health vulnerabilities into algorithmic penalties and shifting control from human foremen to code.

Key takeaway

For AI ethicists and policymakers evaluating platform governance, recognize that AI systems, even without explicit discrimination, can embed and amplify existing social inequalities, particularly impacting vulnerable groups like women in the gig economy. Your focus should extend beyond technical neutrality to scrutinize design logic that prioritizes efficiency over equity, ensuring algorithms account for real-world constraints like care work and safety. Advocate for policies that mandate social protections and worker representation in algorithmic design to mitigate "AI colonialism."

Key insights

AI platforms can perpetuate colonial exploitation by embedding extractive logics that disadvantage women in the Global South's gig economy.

Principles

• Algorithms often amplify existing social inequalities.
• Efficiency-focused design can overlook equity and safety.
• Informal labor digitisation does not equal formalisation.

In practice

• Algorithms should account for caregiving constraints.
• Platforms must integrate safety considerations into metrics.
• Support worker-led solidarity networks.

Topics

• AI Colonialism
• Gig Economy
• Female Gig Workers
• Algorithmic Bias
• Double Burden

Best for: AI Ethicist, Policy Maker, Research Scientist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Artificial intelligence (AI) – The Conversation.