Ghostcrafting AI: The Invisible Labor Behind AI Systems
Published:Dec 25, 2025 12:28
•1 min read
•ArXiv
Analysis
This paper is significant because it highlights the crucial, yet often overlooked, role of platform laborers in developing and maintaining AI systems. It uses ethnographic research to expose the exploitative conditions and precariousness faced by these workers, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations in AI development and governance. The concept of "Ghostcrafting AI" effectively captures the invisibility of this labor and its importance.
Key Takeaways
- •Platform laborers are essential for AI development but often face exploitation and precarious working conditions.
- •The concept of "Ghostcrafting AI" highlights the invisibility of this labor.
- •Workers employ various tactics to cope with exploitative practices.
- •The paper calls for interventions to ensure fairness, recognition, and sustainability in platform futures.
Reference
“Workers materially enable AI while remaining invisible or erased from recognition.”