TikTok Girlies helps power AI chatbots with data annotation.

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence has led to the proliferation of chatbots based on large language models (LLMs). These chatbots, including Google’s Bard, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and others, have seen rapid performance gains, thanks in part to the work of data annotators.

TikTok phenomenon

Jackie Mitchell, a college graduate and TikTok influencer, stumbled upon data annotation as a side job to supplement her income. She began posting “daily life” videos on her TikTok, sharing her experiences with her data annotations without disclosing the specific sites she worked on. Her video attracted significant attention and inspired others to explore this opportunity. This trend, called the “Jackie Mitchell Effect,” has brought young women into the world of data annotation.

power behind the scenes

Data annotation involves tasks such as evaluating and describing AI model inputs and outputs to support machine learning. These include a variety of projects, from chatbot response editing and fact-checking to more complex tasks such as computer coding and language translation. Data annotation is critical to improving AI models, ensuring accuracy, and improving performance.

Steady Income for a Side Job

In contrast to the historically low wages associated with data annotation, Mitchell and others have found it to be a lucrative side job. Mitchell’s hourly wage increased from $17.50 to $20-$30 over two years, while Brin, another contributor, earned about $1,000 in a few months. The flexible nature of data annotation work is attractive to young women looking for additional income with often unpredictable schedules.

The popularity of data annotation among young women is positive, but raises concerns about potential bias in AI models. Relying on a single demographic for training data can lead to skewed results, similar to problems seen in medical AI models trained on data from one race. Data annotation also faces challenges related to quality assurance, as paying for annotation does not guarantee high-quality work.

Balancing automation and human participation:

Some argue that data annotation should be fully automated to reduce costs and speed up the process. However, these approaches can introduce errors, reinforce mistakes, and hinder the detection of unethical behavior. Without effective monitoring, it is difficult to prevent annotators from using AI tools in their work.

Despite its popularity, data annotation may not be a long-term career path for many, including Mitchell. Changes in the field may occur due to unpredictable disruptions and changes in supply and demand. As data annotation continues to advance, it remains unclear whether AI models will be able to fully replicate the human experience in creativity, writing, or art.

The emergence of young women as data annotators on TikTok brings a unique perspective to AI chatbots. While concerns persist about potential bias and the future of data annotation, “The Girl” has left an indelible mark on the AI ​​landscape. As AI continues to advance, it is clear that humans will always have a role in creative endeavors and generating additional revenue.

Source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/tiktok-girlies-help-power-ai-chatbots/