This paper delves into the human factors in the "back-office" of artificial intelligence and of its data-intensive algorithmic underpinnings. We show that the production of AI is a labor-intensive process, which particularly needs the little-qualified, inconspicuous and low-paid contribution of "micro-workers" who annotate, tag, label, correct and sort the data that help to train and test smart solutions. We illustrate these ideas in the high-profile case of the automotive industry, one of the largest clients of digital data-related micro-working services, notably for the development of autonomous and connected cars. This case demonstrates how micro-work has a place in long supply chains, where tech companies compete with more traditional industry players. Our analysis indicates that the need for micro-work is not a transitory, but a structural one, bound to accompany the further development of the sector; and that its provision involves workers in different geographical and linguistic areas, requiring the joint study of multiple platforms operating at both global and local levels.
Micro-work, artificial intelligence and the automotive industry
Résumé
en
This paper delves into the human factors in the "back-office" of artificial intelligence and of its data-intensive algorithmic underpinnings. We show that the production of AI is a labor-intensive process, which particularly needs the little-qualified, inconspicuous and low-paid contribution of "micro-workers" who annotate, tag, label, correct and sort the data that help to train and test smart solutions. We illustrate these ideas in the high-profile case of the automotive industry, one of the largest clients of digital data-related micro-working services, notably for the development of autonomous and connected cars. This case demonstrates how micro-work has a place in long supply chains, where tech companies compete with more traditional industry players. Our analysis indicates that the need for micro-work is not a transitory, but a structural one, bound to accompany the further development of the sector; and that its provision involves workers in different geographical and linguistic areas, requiring the joint study of multiple platforms operating at both global and local levels.
Auteur(s)
Paola Tubaro1, 2, 3
, Antonio A. Casilli4, 5
1
LRI -
Laboratoire de Recherche en Informatique
( 2544 )
- LRI - Bâtiments 650-660 Université Paris-Sud 91405 Orsay Cedex
- France
Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 ( 92966 )
;
CentraleSupélec ( 411575 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8623 ( 441569 )
2
TAU -
TAckling the Underspecified
( 486840 )
- Université Paris-Sud ;
Bâtiment 660 - Shannon ;
91405 Orsay Cedex
- France
Laboratoire de Recherche en Informatique ( 2544 )
;
Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 ( 92966 )
;
CentraleSupélec ( 411575 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8623 ( 441569 )
;
Inria Saclay - Ile de France ( 118511 )
;
Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique ( 300009 )
3
CNRS -
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
( 441569 )
- France
4
I3 SES -
Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation de Telecom Paris
( 420705 )
- Télécom Paris 19 Place Marguerite Perey 91120 PALAISEAU
- France
Télécom ParisTech ( 300362 )
;
Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation ( 1159016 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR9217 ( 441569 )
5
Télécom ParisTech
( 300362 )
- 46 rue Barrault 75634 Paris Cedex 13
- France
Volume
46
Page/Identifiant
333–345
Langue du document
Anglais
Nom de la revue
Journal of Industrial and Business Economics = Economia e politica industriale
(ISSN : 0391-2078, ISSN électronique : 1972-4977)
Springer
Publié par Springer
https://link.springer.com/journal/40812
Revue non référencée dans Sherpa-Romeo
D - Microeconomics/D.D2 - Production and Organizations/D.D2.D26 - Crowd-Based Firms
J - Labor and Demographic Economics/J.J4 - Particular Labor Markets/J.J4.J49 - Other
L - Industrial Organization/L.L6 - Industry Studies: Manufacturing/L.L6.L62 - Automobiles • Other Transportation Equipment • Related Parts and Equipment
M - Business Administration and Business Economics • Marketing • Accounting • Personnel Economics/M.M1 - Business Administration/M.M1.M13 - New Firms • Startups
Paola Tubaro, Antonio A. Casilli. Micro-work, artificial intelligence and the automotive industry. Journal of Industrial and Business Economics = Economia e politica industriale, 2019, 46, pp.333-345. ⟨10.1007/s40812-019-00121-1⟩. ⟨hal-02148979⟩