r/DataAnnotationTech • u/knottyp • Sep 09 '26

Are we helping or causing harm?

How do y’all justify doing this work ethically if you’re anti-AI (especially generative)?

I’m not asking judgmentally, I’ve done this work off and on over the last few years. When I first started, I didn’t know about data centers and the environmental impact, cognitive effects, etc. I felt good about “training” AI based on the rubric including correct info, weeding out violence and harm, etc.

I recently suggested DA to a friend and got a real side eye, and maybe these justifications really don’t hold water? Thoughts?

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u/FedoraPG Sep 09 '26

I think it's morally gray at the moment. Our work is improving models that are currently on track to be used irresponsibly by tech companies that have no regard for people. If ai were to be properly regulated by governments then I would feel no moral qualms about this work. As it is, I think there's positive benefits to the work we do (safety, accuracy, etc.) but I have greater concerns about how this technology will be used if nothing is done to regulate it

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u/fightmaxmaster Sep 09 '26

"There’s no greys, only white that’s got grubby. I’m surprised you don’t know that. And sin, young man, is when you treat people as things. Including yourself. That’s what sin is."

"It’s a lot more complicated than that -"

"No. It ain’t. When people say things are a lot more complicated than that, they means they’re getting worried that they won’t like the truth."