Opinion

Big tech is ignoring the human cost behind the rise of ChatGPT

To stop the chatbot serving up offensive responses, Microsoft-backed OpenAI had workers in Kenya vetting abhorrent material, and it paid them a pittance.

Lorraine Finlay, Patrick Hooton and Catriona Wallace

Feb 13, 2023 – 11.00am

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More than 70 years ago, Albert Einstein said it had “become appallingly clear that our technology has surpassed our humanity”. Now, more than ever, that statement holds true, as technology companies remain unconcerned by human rights risks in developing and deploying new technologies.

Since November last year, ChatGPT (created by OpenAI) has been the “belle of the ball” as Silicon Valley and investors swoon over the technology’s marvels. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is also vying for attention, having just announced a competitor to ChatGPT called Bard.