Exploitation of workers who train AI systems

By Thomas Vink, 16th September 2025

AI systems rely on significant labour for their training and deployment. There are millions of data workers in the world who feed AI systems by producing, categorising and correcting data. In some cases, data workers may also replace the AI system itself, as in the case of video surveillance supposedly detecting shoplifting in real time. IAA claims that the systematic violation of data workers fundamental rights, including digital rights, has been so far neglected by policymakers and regulators. They will advance this issue by addressing legal liability of companies through two legal proceedings.

Exploitation of workers who train AI systems

Organisation Name

Interet A Agir (IAA)

Country/Jurisdiction

France, Germany, Italy

Grant Amount

EUR 100,741

Current Status

Ongoing

Image credit: Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels

Grant type

Litigation Track Support

Description

AI systems rely on significant labour for their training and deployment. There are millions of data workers in the world who feed AI systems by producing, categorising and correcting data. In some cases, data workers may also replace the AI system itself, as in the case of video surveillance supposedly detecting shoplifting in real time. IAA claims that the systematic violation of data workers fundamental rights, including digital rights, has been so far neglected by policymakers and regulators. They will advance this issue by addressing legal liability of companies through two legal proceedings.

"IAA claims that the systematic violation of data workers fundamental rights, including digital rights, has been so far neglected by policymakers and regulators"

Strategic Goals

  1. End the systematic violation of data workers’ fundamental rights by the targeted companies and the improvement of their working conditions.
  2. To send a strong message to other companies in the AI services supply chain.
  3. To raise awareness of the appalling conditions of the data workforce, showing that AI services are nothing more than a new global value chain that pushes the exploitation of humans and the destruction of nature to a climax – and that needs to be regulated.

Media and related links

 

 

Organisation Name

Women’s Link Worldwide