Future Tense AI's "hidden labour" and the move toward a linkless internet
Apr 10, 2025
Zena Assaad, a senior lecturer in human-machine relationships, Toby Walsh, a renowned AI expert, and Collin Jennings, a critical writer on the internet's evolution, dive deeply into AI's hidden labor forces. They discuss the often-overlooked data labelers in developing countries and their harsh working conditions. The conversation also ventures into the shift towards a linkless internet, questioning how AI-driven summaries affect the credibility and verification of online information, calling for a reevaluation of ethical responsibilities in tech.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Meta's Copyright Infringement
- Meta's LLaMA was trained on a vast dataset of pirated books, raising copyright concerns.
- The scale of data used by AI models goes beyond what any human could process.
Hidden Labor of AI
- AI relies on "data labelers" who add context to data, often handling disturbing content.
- These workers, mostly from developing countries, face ethical concerns regarding pay and working conditions.
Exploitation in AI
- Free or low-cost AI services might mask the exploitation of data labelers in developing countries.
- Our personal data is also exploited through terms and conditions we often ignore.
