tech
Amazon is shutting down a go-to option for gig workers. It's the latest casualty of AI growth.
Amazon is shutting down its Mechanical Turk platform by September 30, impacting gig workers as AI increasingly handles simple tasks.
TL;DR
- Amazon will close its Mechanical Turk platform on September 30.
- Mechanical Turk, launched in 2005, allowed humans to perform tasks computers couldn't, such as transcribing audio.
- The platform was popular with gig workers seeking flexibility and researchers needing survey data.
- The increasing capabilities of AI have led to the automation of many tasks previously handled by Mechanical Turk workers.
- A significant percentage of Mechanical Turk workers were found to be using AI tools to complete their tasks.
- Gig work is shifting towards AI training companies, with data labeling becoming a common task.