Hello and welcome to the very first episode of the Young World Podcast!
In our debut episode, we take a deep dive into the backbone of the AI industry, the essential workforce that ensures that AI products are accurate, effective and safe.
This often hidden workforce performs the behind-the-scenes work of preparing datasets used to train algorithms, and many of which are based across countries in the Young World.
The data services industry, crucial for AI development, has been criticised for exploitative practices, often labelled as digital slavery. It's an industry where millions are underpaid and work in precarious conditions, performing repetitive tasks that fuel AI systems. In this episode we dig into the key question of how can governments and businesses create and ensure fair, meaningful employment opportunities in the AI sector across the Young World?
Joining us to dig into this question is Dr Jonas Valente and Dr Funda Ustek Spilda both working on FairWork, a research project which is working to shine a light on working conditions in the digital age.
4.06: What do we mean by data work, what are the key activities and why is it important?
5.54: Why have data workers been made to be ‘invisible’?
7.25: What are the geography and demographics of the industry?
12.06: Is the industry a new form of digital slavery?
20.37: What is Fairwork doing to protect workers' rights in the AI industry?
24.47: Do workers' rights issues present themselves differently on the platform vs BPO side of the industry?
29.07: What impact has Fairwork had to date?
31.25: Whose responsibility is it to ensure workers are treated fairly across the AI supply chain?
To learn more about the essential work that Fairwork are doing visit their website: https://fair.work/en/fw/homepage/
Resources Mentioned:
ILO Report: Digital Platforms and the world of work in G20 countries
ILO Report: Platform work and the employment relationship
Have a topic you’d like us to cover on the podcast? We’d love to hear from you!
Email: marketing@genesis-analytics.com
Host and Exec Producer: Clemmie Borthwick
Post Production: Enosh Ocansey
Research Team: Luthando Sibiya, Bonga Khoza