IN the latest episode of the Lock and Code podcast, host David Ruiz discusses the concept of algorithmic wage discrimination with UC Irvine law professor Veena Dubal. The episode highlights how companies like Uber and Amazon utilize data-driven models to determine worker pay, often leading to unpredictable and inequitable compensation for contract workers.
Dubal compares the compensation structure to 'casino culture', where earnings can be variable and are influenced by factors like location and time, ultimately controlling worker behavior. The discussion draws upon Dubal's 2023 paper on this topic, warning of the implications as this model spreads beyond gig work.