What is AI ‘ghost’ staff and why it’s worrying tech giants

Tech giants like Google, Amazon and Microsoft are well-invested in the artificial intelligence (AI) race. To develop generative AI tools, which generate answers to text prompts in the form of text, photos and even videos, these companies hire thousands of unseen contract workers that train, fix and improve algorithms. The final product is then presented to end users in seconds.

These ‘trainers’ are reportedly underpaid, stressed and overworked by the companies that have invested billions in developing their model of AI. According to a report by Bloomberg, US lawmakers have now asked top tech firms to disclose details about their “ghost work”.