According to Bloomberg, Uber is entering the artificial intelligence (AI) labeling industry by recruiting gig workers. This move indicates that Uber aims to leverage its business model that relies on independent contractors to meet the rapidly growing demand for machine learning and large language models.
Uber's new division, "Scaled Solutions," claims it can connect businesses with "detailed analysts, testers, and independent data operators" through its platform. This is an extension of Uber's internal team, which mainly consists of members based in the United States and India, responsible for tasks such as testing new features and converting restaurant menus into Uber Eats options.
Uber has previously applied artificial intelligence and machine learning within its own operations and has now decided to offer these technologies to other companies for a fee. The company is recruiting gig workers for several businesses, including Aurora, Luma AI, and Niantic, to handle data labeling, testing, and localization tasks.
An important behind-the-scenes reality of AI model training is that it requires a large amount of human labor to complete tedious tasks, such as selecting the most natural chatbot responses or labeling pedestrians in frames of self-driving car footage. To accomplish these tasks, many AI model development companies typically hire workers from developing countries and pay relatively low wages. An engineer from India told Bloomberg that they are asked to compare and score AI-generated answers to complex coding problems, with each group earning 200 Indian Rupees, approximately $2.37.
Currently, Uber is recruiting workers in multiple countries around the world, including Canada, India, Poland, Nicaragua, and the United States, offering different pay based on the volume of tasks completed, with wages paid monthly. Additionally, Uber is also looking for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to help AI adapt better in various markets.
It is worth mentioning that this is not Uber's first foray into the field of artificial intelligence. The company invested heavily in developing autonomous vehicles but shut down the entire project after one of its vehicles caused a pedestrian's death. In 2016, Uber also acquired an AI research lab founded by cognitive scientist Gary Marcus and other computer science professors.
Key Points:
🌍 Uber is utilizing gig workers to enter the AI labeling business to meet the demands of machine learning and large language models.
💰 The company is hiring gig workers for several businesses to handle data labeling, testing, and localization tasks, offering different pay rates.
👩💻 AI model training relies on a large workforce to complete tedious tasks, and Uber is recruiting workers from around the globe to enhance AI adaptability.