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Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

theguardian.com

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Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#11

Post by version_five »

SomethingNew2 wrote: post #8

Based on the information in the article these complaints were raised after the contract was ended. Why not refuse the work or raise the complaint at the time? The article also mentions the work was worse than they thought, but indicates they were told what the work entailed before starting it. Also the primary person being quoted lost his wife and family, and blames this work on why he lost his wife. Anyone who has b…

It's pretty obviously an unpleasant job, but it does seem like they cherry picked a disgruntled former employee for the story. The jobs pay above average wages, it would be interesting to know the overall sentiment of the people that work there as opposed to just seeing anecdotes designed to provoke outrage.

Would people rather that money just didnt go into the Kenyan economy?

Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#12

Post by AYBABTME »

JKCalhoun wrote: post #10
belval wrote: post #9

> Workers were paid between $1.46 and $3.74 an hour, according to a Sama spokesperson. I don't like how journalists never adjust the salary when doing those conversions. Yes $1.46 in the US sounds like the most abdject poverty, but Kenya is not the US. The minimum salary in Kenya is $1.05 so even their lower bound is 39% higher than the minimum salary with their upper bound being 358% higher. For job that while psych…

I don't think anyone would dispute that these are not decent wages in Kenya. What is embarrassing is that the corporation seeks places where wages (relative to western wages) are this low (for what also amounts to the bullshit work).

What's embarrassing about it? Don't you shop around when you need to hire a contractor or buy a car?

Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#14

Post by mcpackieh »

oefrha wrote: post #2

I wonder if executives of companies using mturk-like humans to moderate/classify vile content should be compelled to do the same moderation/classification work themselves for an hour a month. Of course it’s highly unlikely to actually compel them to do this through legislation, but it’s an interesting thought.

Sounds like a good way to wash out the executives who aren't psychopaths, while those who are would pass with flying colors.

Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#15

Post by version_five »

oefrha wrote: post #2

I wonder if executives of companies using mturk-like humans to moderate/classify vile content should be compelled to do the same moderation/classification work themselves for an hour a month. Of course it’s highly unlikely to actually compel them to do this through legislation, but it’s an interesting thought.

What would this achieve?

Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#17

Post by webdood90 »

JKCalhoun wrote: post #10
belval wrote: post #9

> Workers were paid between $1.46 and $3.74 an hour, according to a Sama spokesperson. I don't like how journalists never adjust the salary when doing those conversions. Yes $1.46 in the US sounds like the most abdject poverty, but Kenya is not the US. The minimum salary in Kenya is $1.05 so even their lower bound is 39% higher than the minimum salary with their upper bound being 358% higher. For job that while psych…

I don't think anyone would dispute that these are not decent wages in Kenya. What is embarrassing is that the corporation seeks places where wages (relative to western wages) are this low (for what also amounts to the bullshit work).

IMO You should be upset with capitalism, not the company.

Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#18

Post by capableweb »

oefrha wrote: post #2

I wonder if executives of companies using mturk-like humans to moderate/classify vile content should be compelled to do the same moderation/classification work themselves for an hour a month. Of course it’s highly unlikely to actually compel them to do this through legislation, but it’s an interesting thought.

That has about as high success rate to go through as forcing various CEOs/owners of companies to do the "lowest" work in their company.

Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#19

Post by letmevoteplease »

oefrha wrote: post #2

I wonder if executives of companies using mturk-like humans to moderate/classify vile content should be compelled to do the same moderation/classification work themselves for an hour a month. Of course it’s highly unlikely to actually compel them to do this through legislation, but it’s an interesting thought.

Real imagery is one thing but it's hard for me to imagine being traumatized by classifying fictional content, especially text. Getting paid only a few dollars an hour might be painful, though.

Re: Kenyan moderators decry toll of training of AI

#20

Post by capableweb »

webdood90 wrote: post #17
JKCalhoun wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think anyone would dispute that these are not decent wages in Kenya. What is embarrassing is that the corporation seeks places where wages (relative to western wages) are this low (for what also amounts to the bullshit work).

IMO You should be upset with capitalism, not the company.

Why not both? Capitalism for encouraging this behavior and the companies for engaging in it.
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