The Business Case for Socially Responsible Data Labeling: Companies Making a Difference

Tolani Olawore
Coinmonks
4 min readApr 4, 2023

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In today’s world, data has become the new oil. It powers everything from social media platforms to self-driving cars, and as a result, the need for labeled data has skyrocketed. However, not all data labeling companies are created equal. Some prioritize profits over people, while others put social impact at the forefront of their mission. These socially responsible data labeling companies are paving the way for a more ethical and equitable future.

One such company is Samasource. Founded in 2008 by Leila Janah, Samasource’s mission is to “connect people living in poverty to work via the internet.” The company provides data labeling and annotation services to tech companies, using the income generated to train and employ people in marginalized communities. Samasource has worked with companies like Microsoft and Google, providing high-quality labeled data while simultaneously empowering individuals in need.

Another socially responsible data labeling company is Playment. Playment’s mission is to “make machine learning work for everyone.” The company offers a suite of data labeling tools that enable businesses to quickly and accurately label large datasets. Playment has a unique social impact model — they partner with local NGOs in India to identify and train individuals in data labeling, providing them with a steady income stream. By doing so, Playment is able to both provide high-quality data labeling services and support economic development in the communities where they operate.

Then we have isahit, a data labeling company with a social impact mission. Founded in 2017, isahit’s goal is to create digital jobs for women in Africa by providing data labeling services to businesses. The company operates on a micro-tasking platform, where individuals in Africa can work on small data labeling tasks and earn money. isahit also provides training and support to its workforce, enabling them to improve their skills and develop their careers. By doing so, isahit is not only providing high-quality labeled data to its clients, but also supporting economic development in Africa and promoting gender equality in the tech industry.

Similarly, Mighty AI is a data labeling company that prioritizes social impact. The company partners with non-profit organizations to provide work opportunities for refugees and other marginalized communities, enabling them to earn a steady income and build their skills. In addition, Mighty AI provides its workforce with training and support, helping them to develop their careers and transition into higher-skilled roles. By prioritizing social impact, Mighty AI is not only providing valuable labeled data to its clients, but also supporting individuals in need and promoting diversity in the tech industry.

Tooloka is another example. The company operates on a crowdsourcing model, where individuals around the world can work on small data labeling tasks and earn money. In addition to providing valuable labeled data to its clients, Tooloka also partners with non-profit organizations to train and employ people in developing countries, helping to support economic development and provide job opportunities where they are needed most. By prioritizing social impact, Tooloka is not only improving the quality and accuracy of labeled data, but also making a positive difference in the lives of people around the world.

Another socially responsible data labeling company is CloudFactory. The company provides high-quality labeled data to businesses while also prioritizing social impact. CloudFactory operates on a “distributed workforce” model, where it partners with non-profit organizations and community groups to provide job opportunities for individuals in developing countries. By doing so, CloudFactory is able to provide valuable labeled data to its clients while also supporting economic development and promoting social impact.

So why does social impact matter in the world of data labeling? For starters, data labeling is a rapidly growing industry — one that is projected to be worth $5 billion by 2025. As such, data labeling companies have a responsibility to ensure that the work they do is ethical and equitable. This means not only providing fair wages and working conditions to their employees, but also using their services as a means to support marginalized communities.

Furthermore, the data that is labeled has real-world consequences. Whether it’s training an AI algorithm to recognize facial expressions or labeling data for medical research, the accuracy and quality of labeled data can have a significant impact on the outcomes of these projects. And by prioritizing social impact, data labeling companies can ensure that the data they provide is not only accurate, but also equitable and representative of diverse perspectives.

In conclusion, data labeling companies have a responsibility to ensure that the work they do is ethical and equitable. By prioritizing social impact and partnering with non-profit organizations, these companies can provide valuable labeled data while also supporting economic development, promoting gender and racial equality, and empowering marginalized communities. Companies like isahit, Mighty AI, Samasource, and Playment are leading the way in this regard, and serve as an inspiration for others in the industry to follow suit. As the demand for labeled data continues to grow, it’s essential that we prioritize social impact and ensure that the work being done is not only accurate, but also socially responsible.

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Tolani Olawore
Coinmonks

Storyteller, Extra is my ordinary ✨ Global Youth Ambassador @TheirWorld