Reframing "Human Capital"
Dominant narratives claim AI and content moderation jobs offer opportunity for young people in high-unemployment countries. The reality looks more like exploitative, low-wage grunt work. Alix talks with Joan Kinyua about reframing “human capital” in AI work, and the protections and transparency needed to safeguard young workers.
JOAN KINUYA – HUMAN CAPITAL
Joan Kinuya is the founding president of the Data Labelers Association, which advocates for the recognition and fair treatment of data workers.
In this interview, Kinuya argues that the current framing of “Human Capital” framing invisibilizes data workers – primarily in the Global South – whose labor has quietly powered AI development for over a decade. Big Tech treats this work as entry-level or temporary, which justifies exploitation of labor in countries like Kenya, often with the blessing of politicians chasing foreign investment at the expense of worker protections. Kinuya calls for more transparency, basic rights, and fair pay for data workers. She highlights examples of workers already pushing back through “name and shame” campaigns and building solidarity networks across borders – facilitating accountability where laws have failed them.
"A majority of the people have been fed this narrative that AI is doing it on its own… We are completely not known, completely unrecognized, and completely sidelined out of the conversations."