Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the great theme of our time. It is presented to us as a revolution that will forever change the way we work, communicate, and understand the world. However, behind every brilliant algorithm and seemingly "intelligent" digital assistant, there lies a less luminous reality: that of those exploited by AI.
We're not talking about robots or overloaded machines, but about millions of real people who, anonymously and in precarious conditions, support the foundation on which this technology is built.
Algorithms don't learn on their own. They can process data, but they don't understand the human world. For an AI to know what a smile, aggression, or a dangerous object means, someone had to teach it first. That task falls to the so-called data workers, or "click workers."
They're the ones who spend hours in front of screens classifying images, reviewing text, labeling sounds, and correcting errors. Their work enables AI systems to function properly, self-driving cars to recognize pedestrians, and social media filters to detect violent or sexual content.
The problem is that this work—fundamental to the development of AI—is carried out under working conditions that are far removed from human dignity.
Many of these workers live in countries in the Global South, such as India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Kenya, and Venezuela. According to World Bank estimates, between 150 and 425 million people could be involved in this type of digital micro-work. This seems like a very high figure to me, but I understand that the World Bank has reliable data.
Their hours are long, their wages can be around $10 a day, and most lack basic labor rights or access to social benefits. They are employed by subcontractors or platforms that act as intermediaries for large tech corporations, maintaining a convenient distance between the luxury of Silicon Valley and the precariousness of Nairobi.
In some cases, workers must view extremely disturbing content—violence, abuse, pornography—to classify it and “teach” the AI what to block. Many develop post-traumatic stress, but receive no psychological support or recognition.
Meanwhile, the benefits of the technological revolution are concentrated in a handful of companies and their engineers, with salaries more than a thousand times those of those who make their algorithms possible.
The great paradox of AI is that its success rests on deeply human labor, albeit hidden and undervalued. The dream of total automation is fueled, ironically, by a new form of invisible, precarious, and globalized labor.
And as a society, we must ask ourselves:
. Can we accept a technology that bases its growth on inequality?
. ¿Es ético que una industria multimillonaria se sustente en trabajadores sin derechos ni protección?
The argument that "in some countries, $10 a day is fine" cannot serve as an excuse. What is not right is that they have no rights, security, or voice. We all deserve decent work, regardless of the country we live in or the level of economic development.
This is a problem that demands transparency and regulation. The documentary "AI's Sacrifices," directed by Henri Poulain, addresses precisely this hidden side of the technological revolution. It shows how behind the great advances in AI lies a chain of manual and emotional labor that is rarely mentioned.
You can watch an interview (in French) with the documentary's creator here:
The good news is that this debate is beginning to gain visibility. Organizations such as the UN, the ILO, and several technology NGOs are beginning to call for international regulations that guarantee transparency, decent working conditions, and fair pay in digital work.
Artificial intelligence can be a wonderful tool for progress, but only if it is built on ethical principles. The end does not justify the means. A technology that exploits 5-10% of the global workforce cannot be considered "intelligent" or decent.
Perhaps it is time to rethink what we mean by "intelligence." If AI depends on human labor, then collective intelligence must also include those who make its existence possible. Recognizing, protecting, and valuing their work is not only a matter of justice, but also of ethical sustainability for the technological future.
Because in the end, true intelligence lies not in the algorithm, but in the untapped human capacity to create.
And if we want AI to be a tool to improve the world, we must first ensure that it doesn't make it worse for millions of invisible people.
EN 
ES