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The WageIndicator Foundation, an official campaign partner of the Healthy Workplaces Campaign (HWC) 2023-25 'Safe and healthy work in the digital age', recently hosted a compelling webinar examining the often-overlooked human labour powering (AI) AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). ( AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). ). The session brought together experts and stakeholders to explore the working conditions, wellbeing and regulatory challenges faced by workers in the AI value chain.

From data labelling to content moderation, the webinar highlighted the important, yet frequently invisible, roles performed by human workers who train, test and monitor AI systems. Panellists addressed the precarious and at times exploitative nature of this work, often characterised by low pay, limited labour protections and psychological strain.

Discussions also focused on the urgent need for transparency and regulation in the AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). sector.  Speakers, including Antonio A. Casilli, Author of 'Waiting for Robots' and co-founder of DiPLab, Joan Kinyua, President of the Data Labellers Association, Claartje ter Hoeven, Professor of Communication and Information Studies at Utrecht University, Lydia Hamid, Project Coordinator at Gajimu (WageIndicator's Indonesia team), Martijn Arets,  Researcher of gig economy, and Fiona Dragstra, General Director of the WageIndicator Foundation, highlighted how the industry’s rapid growth is outpacing efforts to protect the people behind the systems.

As demand for AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). -driven technologies continues to rise, so too does the responsibility to ensure that the human labour behind these innovations is adequately recognised and supported.

Access the full webinar in English on YouTube.