硅谷的隐秘软肋：数据工作价值链中的算法剥削与健康问题
Hidden Underbelly of the Silicon Valley: Algorithmic Exploitation and Health in Data Work Value Chains
AI总结：
该研究聚焦硅谷将数据工作外包至非洲的现象，通过肯尼亚工人调查等揭示数据工作者面临身心损害，凸显AI系统背后劳动者的健康问题。
AI中文摘要：
随着机器人有望在部分职业中取代人类，人工智能通过提供数据工作展现出新的发展前景。十多年来，大型硅谷科技公司一直依赖众多中介供应商和劳工平台，将数据工作外包到全球各地，通常是非洲等全球南方地区，比如东非。这类工作大多笼罩在 secrecy（保密状态）中，因为这些公司很少披露其价值链的范围。这导致贫困和边缘群体成为硅谷的隐秘软肋，在恶劣的工作条件下为其最先进的机器提供训练。本文基于对肯尼亚（非洲主要的数据工作枢纽）工人的调查，强调了对工人的身心影响。调查数据辅以深度访谈，以及两名曾在肯尼亚某大型数据富集公司工作、后转为活动人士的前数据工作者的自我民族志叙述。总体而言，该研究凸显了人工智能系统背后的人类所面临的严重心理健康和身体健康问题。
英文摘要：
With robots expected to replace humans in some professions, AI presents a new development prospect through the provisions of data work. For over a decade, large Silicon Valley technology firms have been relying on outsourcing of data work via a host of intermediary suppliers and labour platforms to different parts of the globe often the Global South region, such as East Africa. Much of this work is often shrouded in secrecy as firms rarely reveal the extent of their value chains. This results in the poor and marginalised forming the hidden underbelly of the Silicon Valley, training some of their most advanced machines in adverse working conditions. Drawing upon the survey of workers in Kenya, a major hub for data work in Africa, the paper highlights the physical and psychological impacts on workers. Survey data is complemented with in-depth interviews and auto-ethnographic account of two ex-data workers-turned activists who worked for a large data enrichment firms in Kenya. Overall, the study highlights serious mental and physical health issues experienced humans behind the making of AI systems.
