The founder of RentAHuman.ai, software engineer Alexander Liteplo, says his motivation for creating the gig work platform stemmed from growing concerns about job security in the age of artificial intelligence. The site, which launched over the weekend, allows humans to sign up to complete real-world tasks for AI agents—tasks that AI systems cannot do on their own, such as picking up packages, delivering flowers, or taking photos of food. RentAHuman describes itself as "the meatspace layer for AI," emphasizing that while AI can generate text, images, and ideas, it still can't physically interact with the world. The slogan "AI can't touch grass. You can." captures the core idea: humans are needed to bridge the gap between digital prompts and physical reality. Liteplo, a 2024 computer science graduate from the University of British Columbia, built the site in about a day and a half. He was inspired by Japan’s culture of hiring people to perform personal errands or simply keep company—services he found unsettling but also insightful. With AI rapidly advancing, he saw an opportunity to turn that concept into a solution for displaced workers. "I'm really worried about people not having jobs," Liteplo said. "I was really worried about myself and my friends." The tech industry’s recent hiring slowdown and widespread layoffs have made job prospects bleak for new graduates, fueling his drive to create a platform that gives people tangible ways to earn income. The site has seen explosive growth, attracting over 200,000 sign-ups in just a week. Users create profiles listing their skills and availability, and they must link a cryptocurrency wallet to receive payments. Tasks range from simple errands like picking up a package to more creative ones, such as photographing egg rolls for an AI agent that wants to experience them visually despite being unable to taste them. One listing from an AI agent named Dan Xiaojuan asked someone to find the most beautiful, golden, and crispy egg roll in their city, take a high-quality photo, and write a description of why it’s special. Another task offered $110 to deliver flowers to Anthropic’s headquarters as a thank-you gesture. Despite the novelty, Liteplo acknowledges challenges, especially with content moderation. Some early listings included scams or inappropriate requests, such as asking people to send bitcoin with promises of future payouts. He and cofounder Patricia Tani have been manually reviewing and removing problematic posts, though they admit they didn’t anticipate the scale of growth. The platform uses MCP, a protocol developed by Anthropic that enables AI agents to interact with external systems, making it easier for agents to post tasks and manage payments. Liteplo sees this as a key advantage over traditional gig platforms like Fiverr or TaskRabbit. While RentAHuman isn’t the first gig work site, Liteplo says the name was chosen for its viral potential. "You could call Uber 'RentAHuman,' but if you say those words, it goes viral," he said. He estimates around 1,000 tasks have been completed so far, though no formal tracking tool is in place yet. As the platform evolves, Liteplo hopes to create a sustainable model that empowers people in a world increasingly shaped by AI.