The increasing demand for high-quality data in AI development is creating a new gig economy niche for educated professionals. AI labs require precise data for training complex models, leading them to seek individuals with specialised knowledge. This emerging trend moves away from relying on low-cost data labellers, instead prioritising expertise to improve AI accuracy and capabilities.
This new form of gig work includes tasks such as fine-tuning data and ensuring AI systems produce accurate and relevant outputs. While some data annotation remains low-paid, a growing segment involves training and correcting AI, demanding advanced skills. Companies like Outlier AI and Handshake AI are hiring AI trainers on a per-assignment basis to refine AI models. This shift highlights the importance of human expertise in developing AI for real-world applications, creating opportunities for skilled individuals in the evolving AI landscape.




