Data Enrichment Work and AI Labor in the Global South in Collaboration with USAID

We are in search of revolutionary analysis proposals to discover the typically invisible and undervalued workforce supporting synthetic intelligence (AI) in the Global South. This initiative builds upon the Global AI Research Agenda and goals to form USAID’s future programming and advocacy efforts to foster equitable and dignified working circumstances for these staff.

Background

The fast development of AI, significantly generative AI, depends closely on hundreds of thousands of staff performing information enrichment duties reminiscent of curating, labeling, and annotating information. These staff additionally embrace content material moderators who form the boundaries of on-line content material. Despite their important position, they typically face precarious, pay-per-task employment and stay largely unseen in the world economic system.

The influence of this rising AI labor market is profound, particularly in creating areas, but stays poorly understood. Key questions embrace:

• Who are these staff, and what are their circumstances?
• How do they contribute to the world AI worth chain?
• What may be accomplished to make sure their honest remedy?

Research Goals

We invite proposals to look at the information enrichment labor market in the Global South, with a concentrate on its position in world AI worth chains. Suggested areas of study embrace:

• Workforce demographics, geography, and their place in the AI worth chain.
• Socio-economic and office circumstances in particular areas of the Global South.
• Economic and contractual dynamics shaping employee circumstances.
• The results of AI-driven adjustments in employment buildings, reminiscent of pay-per-task platforms.
• Practices selling equitable AI labor, involving collaboration throughout governments, donors, civil society, and non-public sectors.

Multidisciplinary approaches that mix sociotechnical, ethnographic, and financial analyses are inspired.

Who Should Apply

Researchers and practitioners from social sciences, pc science, economics, and associated fields are welcome. Collaborative proposals prioritizing native partnerships are strongly inspired. Applicants should be affiliated with an establishment eligible to obtain U.S. federal funds and registered on SAM.gov.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should embrace:

1. Title
2. Research Narrative (max. 3 pages): Outline analysis questions, focus areas, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes.
3. Budget Outline: Total not exceeding $280,000.
4. Organization Profile (max. 2 pages per group).
5. Work Plan & Timeline: A mission length of 6-24 months is really helpful.
6. Team Background & Expertise: Include {qualifications}, publications, and related expertise.

Application Process

Submit your proposal by way of Qualtrics by January 31, 2025, 5:00 PM EST. For questions, e mail Ross Meyers at rbmeyers@purdue.edu with the topic line: Questions for LASER PULSE, Data Enrichment Work and AI Labor. Questions should be submitted by December 13, 2024. Replies will likely be out there on the LASER Pulse web site by December 20, 2024.

Key Dates

• Selection Announcement: February 28, 2025

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will likely be assessed on:

• Relevance to the analysis targets.
• Innovation and novel approaches.
• Team experience and functionality.
• Feasibility of the timeline and price range.
• Potential influence on coverage and apply.
• Methodological rigor, significantly participatory and ethnographic strategies.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

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