The Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) is proud to announce the launch of the Data Workers’ Inquiry Project, a groundbreaking initiative which provides a platform for data workers worldwide to share their stories and research. This innovative project will debut on July 8th at 8a.m PDT/5p.m CET and will feature a range of products from fifteen data professionals located on four continents. These workers will present their research in various formats, including comprehensive reports, animated shorts, documentaries, zines, comic books, and podcasts.
Timnit Gebru, Founder and Executive Director of DAIR, will moderate the inaugural panel, featuring Richard Mathenge and Mophat Okinyi, creators of the first African content moderators union, and Krystal Kauffman, lead organizer of Turkopticon. This panel will highlight the challenges faced by data workers and the significance of their contributions to the tech industry. Interested participants can register for this event and explore the speakers’ series for the coming months. This series will allow attendees to meet each of the researchers and hear their unique stories firsthand.
The Data Workers’ Inquiry Project is particularly notable for its focus on giving voice to those who are often overlooked in the tech industry. These workers share their personal and professional experiences, shedding light on the challenges they face daily. For instance, Fascia’s report delves into the mental health impact of moderating content during the Tigray Genocide, including issues related to drug abuse.
Timnit Gebru expressed her pride in DAIR’s involvement in this project, emphasizing the importance of amplifying these workers’ voices. “You rarely see these workers having a platform to tell their own stories, and the quality of the work speaks for itself,” she noted. The project aims to spread these stories far and wide, acknowledging the risks these workers take to speak out and the personal experiences they share.
The Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) is dedicated to independent, community-rooted AI research, free from the pervasive influence of Big Tech. This initiative is a testament to DAIR’s commitment to supporting data workers and highlighting the crucial role they play in the tech ecosystem.
For more information on the Data Workers’ Inquiry Project and to view the research outputs, visit their website. Join us in supporting these brave workers by sharing their work and attending the speakers’ series.