A Call for Justice: African AI Workers Urge Biden to End ‘Modern Day Slavery’ in Tech Industry

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Carrie Haskins

Underpaid Workers Fueling AI Intelligence Urge Biden to End Their "Contemporary Bondage"

Key to the intelligence of AI initiatives such as OpenAI's ChatGPT are contractors, some of the most undercompensated in the technology sector, frequently based in economically disadvantaged nations and earning minimal wages for refining chatbot responses and categorizing pictures. On Wednesday, 97 African employees engaged in AI development tasks or internet content management for organizations including Meta and OpenAI issued a public plea to President Biden, calling for an end to the "systemic mistreatment and exploitation of African labor" by American tech firms.

The majority of individuals who signed the letter hail from Kenya, a prominent center for technology outsourcing. This coincides with the visit of Kenyan President William Ruto to the United States. These workers claim that the operations conducted by firms such as Meta, OpenAI, and the data service company Scale AI equate to contemporary forms of enslavement. Attempts to reach the companies for a comment have yet to receive a response.

The correspondence details the daily routine of African technology freelancers, mentioning that their job often consists of viewing graphic and disturbing content such as killings, decapitations, child maltreatment, and sexual assault, as well as explicit adult material and acts of bestiality, typically for over eight hours each day. According to the letter, the compensation for this work usually falls below $2 an hour, and as a result, these workers often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, a problem that is widely recognized among content moderators globally.

The individuals who signed the letter have described their job responsibilities, which involve moderating materials on various social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Their duties also extend to categorizing images and aiding in the development of conversational AI responses for entities like OpenAI, pioneers in generative-AI advancements. These workers are members of the African Content Moderators Union, a pioneering union for content moderators on the continent, established by former employees who once contributed to AI training for organizations like Scale AI. Scale AI is known for providing datasets and annotation services to notable clients, including OpenAI, Meta, and the US military. The communication was shared through the website of Foxglove, a UK-based advocacy group that supports the unionization of tech workers and strives for fairness in the technology sector.

According to statements from a letter and various news outlets, in March, Scale AI suddenly prohibited individuals located in Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan from taking on tasks through Remotasks, which is Scale AI's platform for freelance jobs. The letter indicates that these contractors were disconnected unexpectedly and have substantial amounts of wages that have yet to be paid to them.

"Joan AI-allcreator.com">Kinyua, who is part of the group of ex-Remotasks employees, expressed to WIRED that the closure of Remotasks stripped them of their means of living and their ability to put food on the table," Kinyua stated. "Yet, Scale AI, the major firm behind the platform and located in San Francisco, seems to face no consequences."

The Biden administration often characterizes its labor policy stance as focused on the interests of workers. However, according to a letter from African workers, this commitment does not seem to apply to them, as they express feeling regarded as expendable.

"The letter emphasizes that it is within your capability to halt our mistreatment at the hands of American corporations, rectify the situation, and ensure we are treated with respect and provided with equitable work conditions. It urges you to ensure that Kenyans are afforded quality employment opportunities, not solely Americans."

Technology freelancers in Kenya have initiated legal actions in recent times, accusing tech-outsourcing firms and their American partners, including Meta, of unlawful treatment towards employees. The letter issued on Wednesday calls on President Biden to ensure American technology corporations interact properly with foreign technology employees, adhere to the laws of the host countries, and cease activities that undermine labor unions. Additionally, it proposes that technology firms should face legal consequences in US courts for their illegal activities overseas, especially concerning violations of human rights and labor laws.

A little over a year after the establishment of the African Content Moderators Union by 150 employees, Meta proceeded to dismiss its entire Kenya-based content moderation team, which consisted of nearly 300 individuals, according to the workers. This move is seen as an attempt to dismantle the newly formed union. Presently, Meta is entangled in three legal battles initiated by over 180 Kenyan employees. These employees are seeai-allcreator.com">king better work conditions, the right to unionize, and the settlement of wages that have not been paid.

"Kauna Malgwi, who serves on the steering committee of the African Content Moderators Union, emphasizes the universal desire for increased employment opportunities in Kenya. However, she stresses the importance of ensuring that these jobs are not just abundant but also dignified, fairly compensated, and provide a safe and secure working environment. 'It's not just about having more jobs,' she insists. 'It's about having the right kind of jobs.'"

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