jcbMay 24, 2024
Paris Marx

African AI workers, mostly from Kenya, released an open letter to Joe Biden this week asking him stop US tech companies from “systemically abusing and exploiting African workers” and to end the “modern day slavery” they’re subjected to.

https://www.wired.com/story/low-paid-humans-ai-biden-modern-day-slavery/

#tech #labor #ai #africa #workers

The Low-Paid Humans Behind AI’s Smarts Ask Biden to Free Them From ‘Modern Day Slavery’

African workers who label AI data or screen social posts for US tech giants are calling on President Biden to raise their plight with Kenya’s president, William Ruto, who visits the US this week.

WIRED
May 23, 2024 at 8:14pmWeb
Show threadLuna chanMay 23, 2024
@parismarx No surprise much of it is just a mechanical Turk behind the scenes.
Show threadUwe_KauffmannMay 23, 2024

@parismarx

There is someone, don't understanding capitalism.
There is no playing, in the hard force of reality.

Show threadDavid J. AtkinsonMay 23, 2024
@parismarx I understand the situation re: exploitation of workers doing grunt labor for AI training. My question is how this is different from any other industry that “outsources” i.e.; seeks to minimize the cost of labor? It has been clear for years that the focus in many areas was shifting from SE Asia to Africa. Workers everywhere can assure their own future by working together to force change.
Show thread@AlexBlock has movedMay 23, 2024
@parismarx Good!
Show threadCalcedony PrimeMay 24, 2024
@parismarx Good luck getting the leader of a country that still practices legal slavery to do anything about that.
Show threaddon Elías (como los buses) 🥨May 24, 2024

@parismarx Open letter to President Biden from tech workers in Kenya

https://www.foxglove.org.uk/open-letter-to-president-biden-from-tech-workers-in-kenya/

Open letter to President Biden from tech workers in Kenya - Foxglove

22 May 2024 Dear President Biden,  Cc: Ambassador Katherine Tai, US Trade Representative,  We are 97 data labellers, content moderators …

Foxglove
Show threadDhavide AruliahMay 24, 2024

@donelias @parismarx

Thank you for sharing.

I wish more people would consider the human cost of AI technologies before salivating over the newest shiny products. This open letter from exploited Kenyan tech workers articulates some of the most significant ethical concerns about AI that the hype is drowning out.

Show threadJess FMay 29, 2024
@parismarx
How can we best support this movement from outside of the content moderators' union?
@BustaMarx