Go to JKU Homepage
Digital platforms and AI applications have become integral to our social and economic life. The digital corporations, however, often shield consumers from the reality of their operations. Under precarious working conditions, these invisible workers watch and remove problematic user-generated content from social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This type of work is primarily manual, and these workers make sure that violent and graphic content is kept off of the platforms. They also play a crucial role in training AI tools to avoid making racist or malicious statements.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Picture of the artwork.](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/0/csm_JKU_webseite_82963742ae.jpg)
Given the pivotal role these workers play in our use of these tools and our understanding of reality, one might believe they hold high-status and are well-paid. Yet, the reality is starkly different. The corporations engage in labor arbitrage by outsourcing this work to countries, particularly in the Global South where a low-cost workforce is willing to perform these tasks, often risking their mental and physical health and well-being.
The installation "On the (Side)line" reminds us that these people work on the front lines to ensure social media and AI remain safe for users. The workers’ well-being and their concerns, wishes, and interests deserve our attention.
Why are we taking part in this year's ARS Electronica Festival? The Linz Institute for Transformative Change supports generating momentum to understand and tackle social challenges by bringing stakeholders in various disciplinary backgrounds and societal sectors together. As part of this installation, we (Thomas Gegenhuber & Laura Thäter) have partnered with the Institute of Organization Science (Sara Maric) at the JKU Linz as well as Berlin-based artists Lennart Grau (painting) and Carla Streckwall (augmented reality layer).
"On the (Side)line" will be located at the JKU MED Campus (in the library) during the 2024 ARS Electronica Festival (September 4 - 8, 2024),
Additional material is available by clicking the following links.
