The current AI boom is a modern-day gold rush, with tech companies racing to stake their claim in a multi-trillion dollar industry. But like the gold rushes of the past, this one is built on the labor of a vast workforce that will never share in the immense wealth being generated. These essential workers—the AI trainers and raters—are being left in the dust.
These individuals are the “pick and shovel” workers of the AI revolution. Their job of labeling, rating, and moderating data is not glamorous, but it is absolutely essential. Without their constant input and correction, AI models would be unusable, spewing a constant stream of nonsense and harmful content. They are the human intelligence that powers the artificial.
Yet, their compensation and job security do not reflect their importance. While AI engineers command six-figure salaries, raters earn a modest hourly wage with no benefits or long-term stability. Layoffs are a constant threat, even as the products they work on become more integrated into our daily lives. They are treated as a temporary, expendable resource.
This stark inequality reveals the true priorities of the AI gold rush. The focus is on rapid product development and market capture, not on building a sustainable and ethical workforce. As the industry celebrates its technological triumphs, it’s crucial to remember the thousands of workers whose contributions have been fundamental to that success, yet who have been largely excluded from its rewards.
