Data Work in Egypt: Who Are the Workers Behind Artificial Intelligence?

TL;DR

This paper explores the characteristics, motivations, and working conditions of Egyptian data workers involved in AI, highlighting their economic reliance, digital identities, and potential policy improvements.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Egyptian data workers' roles, motivations, and challenges within AI global value chains, emphasizing policy implications.

Findings

Most workers are young, educated men relying on platform earnings.

Earnings are low, often matching Egypt's minimum wage.

Workers exercise agency and resist algorithmic control.

Abstract

The report highlights the role of Egyptian data workers in the global value chains of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These workers generate and annotate data for machine learning, check outputs, and they connect with overseas AI producers via international digital labor platforms, where they perform on-demand tasks and are typically paid by piecework, with no long-term commitment. Most of these workers are young, highly educated men, with nearly two-thirds holding undergraduate degrees. Their primary motivation for data work is financial need, with three-quarters relying on platform earnings to cover basic necessities. Despite the variability in their online earnings, these are generally low, often equaling Egypt's minimum wage. Data workers' digital identities are shaped by algorithmic control and economic demands, often diverging from their offline selves. Nonetheless, they find ways to resist, exercise ethical agency, and maintain autonomy. The report evaluates the potential impact of Egypt's newly enacted labor law and suggests policy measures to improve working conditions and acknowledge the role of these workers in AI's global value chains.