U.S. TECH FIRM'S 'MODERN SLAVERY' IN KENYA

The exploitation of cheap labour is one consequence of the ongoing phenomenon of colonisation, and one US-based artificial-intelligence company, Sama, is under scrutiny for running what a civil rights activist describes as 'AI sweatshops' in Kenya. 

Sama is under fire after a US television programme, '60 Minutes' (CBS News), exposed deplorable work conditions and low pay at its Kenyan operations. Workers reportedly earn $2 an hour instead of the agreed-to $12.50 per hour to weed out s*xual and violent content for hours.

The situation underscores the urgent need for ethical practices in the outsourcing industry, as weak labour laws and unions, high unemployment rates, and poorer countries’ governments bowing to multinational corporations drive the unchecked exploitation of many African youths. This raises questions about President William Ruto promoting Kenya as a top destination for global tech companies.

Video credit: @60minutes / @cbsnews

Sources:

https://www.president.go.ke/president-ruto-kenya-emerging-as-ict-destination/

https://weetracker.com/2024/11/25/openai-sama-kenyan-workers-controversy/

https://time.com/6247678/openai-chatgpt-kenya-workers/

https://citizen.digital/tech/kenyans-who-trained-openai-models-decry-low-pay-poor-working-conditions-n353525

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4808972/