The people who make automated translation possible are often low-paid gig workers. Usually, they don't even know who they're really working for — and it might be the US military. Reporter Niamh McIntyre joins Alex and Emily to dissect how one data labeling company presents its work, based her investigation into the experiences of East African employees.

Niamh McIntyre is a senior reporter at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) in London, covering AI, labor, and surveillance tech. She was 2023 AI Accountability Fellow at the Pulitzer Center, and prior to joining TBIJ, spent four years as a data journalist at The Guardian.

References:

Appen blog post on "Why AI Must be Ethical and Responsible"

Also referenced:

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Music by Toby Menon.
Artwork by Naomi Pleasure-Park.
Production by Ozzy Llinas Goodman.

Uber for Military Surveillance (with Niamh McIntyre), 2026.03.30

Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000

Uber for Military Surveillance (with Niamh McIntyre), 2026.03.30