As artificial intelligence (AI) models evolve, the complexity of tasks required to train these systems is increasing, leading to a renewed emphasis on utilizing U. S. -based labor, particularly by companies like Scale AI, valued at $14 billion. Scott O’Neil, a plumbing sales associate in Louisiana, spends his evenings training advanced AI models, evaluating responses from AI systems like ChatGPT as a contractor for Scale's Outlier platform. His weekly earnings can range from $300 to $1, 000 depending on his hours. O’Neil is part of a rapidly growing segment of U. S. contributors on Outlier, which launched in 2023, following the global AI boom triggered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Outlier enables freelancers to perform tasks that help enhance the performance of generative AI models for major clients, including Google and Meta. The nature of these tasks is becoming increasingly complex, requiring contributors with specialized skills—87% possess college degrees, with nearly half holding at least a Bachelor’s degree. As the need for expert input grows, Scale is shifting focus to the U. S.

for talent instead of relying on overseas workers. Scale’s approach aligns with CEO Alexandr Wang's "America first" philosophy, which emphasizes American contributions to AI, especially in light of global competition, particularly with China. The company has established defense contracts with various branches of the U. S. military to implement AI for military applications. Despite its growth, Scale has faced controversies and lawsuits from Outlier contractors alleging poor working conditions, mental health issues, and wage theft. Some contractors express dissatisfaction with task complexity and time constraints, while others, like O’Neil and fellow contractor Karen Hart, report positive experiences, value the work’s flexibility, and do not feel pressured by task limits. Zhu, the general manager of Outlier, insists the company is taking steps to improve working conditions and transparency around compensation, responding to prior criticisms. However, issues regarding compensation and pressures related to task complexity remain points of contention. While Scale maintains that time constraints for task completion are reasonable, many contractors, including those involved in ongoing lawsuits, voice concerns over the mental toll of their work. Overall, while Outlier offers new opportunities for skilled workers, challenges remain regarding worker well-being and satisfaction amid the rapid development and demands of AI training tasks.