Rajeshwari N. , a former garment factory worker, left her job due to health issues. She has now found employment at Karya, a nonprofit AI data company based in southern India. In the village of Alahalli, Chandrika, using a smartphone app, demonstrates how she earns money by recording audio clips in her native language of Kannada. Previously, Chandrika had a minimal bank account balance, but with the app, she earned a significant amount in just a few days. This app allows her to earn an hourly wage that is nearly 20 times the Indian minimum wage, providing her with a more reliable and immediate source of income. The app's demand arises from the boom in artificial intelligence, particularly in languages like Kannada that are less represented online.

To meet this demand, there is a need for datasets in languages spoken by India's poorest populations. Karya, unlike other companies in this field, operates as an ethical data company that channels its profits towards helping the rural poor. By giving workers ownership of the data they generate, Karya empowers them economically. The company's aim is to redistribute wealth and provide opportunities to those who have been marginalized. Karya has already made a significant impact, paying out millions of rupees in wages and benefiting thousands of rural Indians. Despite the challenges and limitations, Karya's unique model offers a more inclusive and ethical approach to the AI data industry, potentially benefiting millions of people and creating a pathway out of poverty.