Books in the Library Collection
Feeding the Machine by ISBN: 9781639734962Publication Date: 2024-08-06For readers of Naomi Klein and Nicole Perlroth, a myth-dissolving exposé of how artificial intelligence exploits human labor, and a resounding argument for a more equitable digital future. Silicon Valley has sold us the illusion that artificial intelligence is a frictionless technology that will bring wealth and prosperity to humanity. But hidden beneath this smooth surface lies the grim reality of a precarious global workforce of millions laboring under often appalling conditions to make A.I. possible.
Human Labor Behind AI
AI still needs human intervention to function properly, but this necessary labor is often hidden. For example, ChatGPT uses prompts entered by users to train its models. Since these prompts are also used to train its subscription model, many consider this unpaid labor.
Taylor & Francis recently signed a $10 million deal to provide Microsoft with access to data from approximately 3,000 scholarly journals. Authors in those journals were not consulted or compensated for the use of their articles. Some argue that using scholarly research to train generative AI will result in better AI tools, but authors have expressed concern about how their information will be used, including whether the use by AI tools will negatively impact their citation numbers
In a more extreme case, investigative journalists discovered that OpenAI paid workers in Kenya, Uganda and India only $1-$2 per hour to review data for disturbing, graphic and violent images. In improving their product, the company exposed their underpaid workers to psychologically scarring content. One worker referred to the work as “torture”.
Sources:
- Two Major Academic Publishers Signed Deals With AI Companies. Some Professors Are Outraged.All BGSU faculty, students and staff have access to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Create an account with your BGSU email for off-campus access.
- Exclusive: OpenAI Used Kenyan Workers on Less Than $2 Per Hour to Make ChatGPT Less ToxicFrom Time Magazine, 01/18/2023
Attribution: This language was adapted from the University of Texas Library's Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Privacy Research Guide.
Video: Doing Grueling Work for AI
Video: Doing Grueling Work for AI
Suggested Reading
Suggested Reading
- The Exploited Labor Behind Artificial IntelligenceAdrienne Williams and Milagros Miceli are researchers at the Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute. Timnit Gebru is the institute’s founder and executive director. She was previously co-lead of the Ethical AI research team at Google. (2022)
- Ghost WorkMary L. Gray’s talk is based on her latest book, Ghost Work: How to Stop Silicon Valley from Building a New Global Underclass, a collaboration with computer scientist Siddharth Suri. Ghost Work is a necessary and revelatory exposé of the invisible human workforce that powers the web—and that foreshadows the true future of work.
- The pros and cons of Amazon Mechanical TurkIf you are looking for legitimate part-time employment, Amazon Mechanical Turk can certainly be that, but it will take work to learn how to turk efficiently. To each her own, but completing hundreds of microtasks per month can be incredibly draining. If you’re looking to earn a little cash on the side, here’s everything you need to know about Amazon Mechanical Turk before getting started. (2021)