Theater for AIs

Work in the AI economy: The job of “Foxes”

John Robb
John Robb
Aug 28, 2017 · 1 min read

What will people do for work in the AI economy? We will train AIs. Really? Yes really.

Here’s a good early example from Waymo (formerly Google’s self driving car project). They employ people in a role they call “foxes” (a word derived from the word faux). Foxes build real world simulations for training AIs quickly and safely. How? They stage live performances for AIs. They:

  • Serve as extras: from other drivers (to simulate traffic) to pedestrians to bike riders.
  • Play leading or typecast roles: from the “bad” driver to the child on a bike to the New York pedestrian. Stunt work that pushes the limits of the AI training.
  • Stage and breakdown training props: Hold signs (stop, etc.). Place cones. Reconfigure lines. Set up building facades.

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John Robb

Written by

John Robb

Principal Analyst at the Global Guerrillas Report: https://www.patreon.com/johnrobb (reader supported) Featured in WSJ, NYTimes, Economist, CNBC, Fox, BBC…

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