Digitization Emphasizes: 'The Human Touch is Priceless'
In the heart of Berlin, Krystal Kauffman, a Data Worker and research affiliate at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), has been delving into the intricacies of artificial intelligence (AI) and the human labor behind it. Her research primarily focuses on the human labor involved in AI and the associated ethics, with the main project being the Data Workers' Inquiry (DWI).
The DWI project, a community-based research initiative, invites data workers to participate and conduct their own investigations at their workplaces. This project has shed light on various issues faced by data workers, including wage theft, mental health concerns due to moderating violent and traumatizing content, and even the use of unconventional payment methods like Amazon gift cards instead of cash.
Kauffman's journey in data work began in 2015 when she started working on Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT), a data processing platform. Many big tech companies, including Google, used AMT for data processing tasks. Tasks ranged from marking footpaths or tire tracks in remote areas to academic surveys and marking certain things on aerial images, such as pools or nesting cranes.
Over the years, the workload has evolved, with many small data work platforms emerging online. Today, most data work focuses on machine learning and AI, a shift accelerated by the rise of tools like ChatGPT since 2022. This transformation has made AI a central element in business strategies and workflows.
However, while the White House may be said to be in alliance with tech CEOs, the independent workforce remains visible. The public is becoming increasingly aware of data workers and their working conditions. The DWI project also observes the process of workers building solidarity and founding organisations to challenge tech companies.
Kauffman was previously the main organiser of Turkopticon, a non-profit organisation advocating for data workers' rights. Her work at DAIR continues to push for a better understanding of the human labor involved in AI and the need for ethical practices in the industry.
As the integration of AI and machine learning continues to reshape the data landscape, it is crucial to remember the human workers behind the screens. The DWI project serves as a reminder that nothing stays hidden forever, and the voices of data workers are being heard.
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