The world of technology is evolving rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the center of this advancement. But behind the scenes of this glittering future lies a lesser-known reality: In Africa, more specifically in Uganda and Kenya, young people are training the AI ​​systems of large technology companies such as Meta, Nasa and Tesla in laborious, monotonous manual labor.

This happens under precarious conditions that raise questions about the ethics and sustainability of such employment relationships.

The invisible handiwork behind AI

In a large, stuffy room in Kampala, Uganda, 150 young people work closely behind computers. Their job is to train AI systems by repeatedly clicking on images - be it marking ripe apples for a harvest drone or tracing road markings for autonomous vehicles.

This seemingly simple task is crucial to the functioning and accuracy of the AI. Without this “click work,” many of today’s technological innovations would not exist.

The role of Sama and other start-up companies

At the center of this development is Sama, a start-up company in Africa that takes on these labor-intensive tasks for international tech giants.

In addition to Sama, there are numerous similar companies on the African continent that specialize in training AI. At first glance, these start-ups seem to bring opportunities and opportunities to their countries. But reality is more complex and has many dark sides.

Precarious working conditions

Despite the modern and hip appearance of companies like Sama, the working conditions are often monotonous and underpaid. The employees who train the AI ​​systems do not need any special skills or educational qualifications. They are trained internally, often without any prior knowledge of using computers. Their work mainly consists of repetitive clicks, with each mouse movement registered by software.

Impact on the African labor market

Given high birth rates and rampant youth unemployment in many African countries, jobs at companies like Sama are in demand, even if they are monotonous and poorly paid. For many young people in Uganda and Kenya, these jobs offer a rare chance of finding employment at all.

Although the pay is often low, it is still above what unskilled workers in Uganda typically earn.

Critical perspectives

Experts like Nanjira Sambuli, a Kenyan political analyst and digital equality expert, ask about the long-term consequences of such jobs. Are these really meaningful and secure jobs with future prospects?

Sambuli points out that many of these jobs are temporary and the employees are often unemployed again after the project ends. Additionally, there have been cases in the past where working conditions at Sama have been exposed as questionable, including contract terms and the type of content being edited.

A call for change

This article highlights the dark side of the shiny world of AI and technology, particularly the role that African workers play in this sector. He calls for a rethink, both among African politicians who need to define labor rights and minimum standards, and among international technology companies who should review their ethical standards.

The story of Sama and similar companies in Africa is a warning example that progress should not come at the expense of the least privileged.

Questions and answers:

Question 1: What are the main tasks of the workers at Sama?
Answer 1: The main task of workers at Sama is to train AI systems by repeatedly clicking and highlighting images. These tasks are crucial for the development and accuracy of AI in various application areas such as autonomous driving or automated harvesting systems.

Question 2: Why are jobs at companies like Sama in Uganda and Kenya so popular?
Answer 2: Despite the monotony and low pay, jobs at companies like Sama offer a rare chance of employment in countries with high youth unemployment and limited job opportunities. Pay is often higher than what unskilled workers typically earn.

Question 3: What are the challenges and downsides of this type of work?
Answer 3: The challenges and downsides include monotonous, repetitive tasks, low pay, fixed-term employment contracts and psychological stress caused by the type of content to be processed. In addition, there are concerns about long-term employment prospects and the ethical standards of working conditions.

Question 4: What role does the international community play in this type of work?
Answer 4: The international community, especially the technology companies that employ such workers, have a great responsibility. It should review ethical standards and ensure that progress does not come at the expense of workers' rights and well-being.

Question 5: What should be done to improve the situation?
Answer 5: To improve the situation, African politicians must define labor rights and minimum standards. At the same time, international technology companies must review their ethical standards and ensure that they do not contribute to labor exploitation. A holistic approach is required that includes both the local and global levels.

Conclusion: A call to action

This article highlights the often overlooked aspects of AI development and appeals to the awareness that technological progress must be designed in an ethically responsible manner.

Source: derStandard – Simone Schlindwein / Südwind-Magazin

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )