If you’ve been on a job hunt recently, you may have come across various postings. These listings often feature remote roles from the same companies, with titles like “AI Prompt Writer” or “AI Training Specialist in Healthcare.”
If you identify with my curiosity, you might wonder: are these positions legit? If they are, what’s it like to work for these companies?
Understanding the Training Process
The training process for AI jobs varies widely, with the primary distinction being that some companies require an assessment before onboarding new employees.
Your experience may differ based on whether you’re applying for a generalist or specialized position. Surprisingly, specialist roles often have stringent requirements, and some even involve video interviews, which are asynchronous and more detailed than one might typically expect for these types of gigs.
As for generalist roles, they tend to be less selective, allowing a broader range of applicants. You’re usually tossed directly into the training and onboarding process, which can differ based on the project. Typically, you’ll review previous AI prompts and learn what your tasks will entail, generally involving evaluating and ranking responses based on various criteria.
While these evaluation factors can vary, you’ll usually receive a grading rubric that includes aspects such as “accuracy,” “truthfulness,” and even “harmfulness.” The latter may cover anything from AI suggesting violent behavior to promoting stereotypes.
It’s essential to note that while some employers compensate you for training and assessment, others do not.
Once you’re officially onboarded, the process tends to become more streamlined.
After training, you’ll be assigned to a specific project, which may lead to additional training or not. Tasks are then queued up for you to review, evaluate, and correct as needed.
This workflow continues consistently until tasks become sparse—a regular occurrence that is a significant downside of these AI training jobs.
Often, projects are temporary, resulting in weeks or even months with no new assignments after a project ends.
This inconsistency means you could find yourself with steady work one moment and then experiencing a complete drought without any warning. While some companies give a week’s notice before ending a project, the majority will simply announce the project’s conclusion, reshuffling personnel into new tasks as quickly as possible.
To their credit, this part of their operation is typically accurate. Even for companies I’ve been involved with sporadically, there is always a process in place to move you to a new project, meaning you shouldn’t expect to maintain a regular work schedule.
This structure ensures that work is available when you need it—provided there is an open project you’re qualified for. It’s a great way to earn some extra income on the side, and these companies are generally reliable with timely payments, which is a positive compared to some other freelance opportunities I’ve had.
Are AI Training Roles Worth It?
In my opinion, the answer is a cautious “maybe.” If you’re not expecting consistent work, it can serve as a viable source of extra income for some individuals.
Sadly, the pay tends to be on the lower side. I’ve observed rates ranging from $15 to $18 per hour for generalist roles, which is what most people will qualify for. Some companies boast of rates up to $45 per hour for specialized positions, but in my experience, that’s often an exaggeration. Actual earnings per project have consistently been much lower, and specialist roles tend to have fewer available tasks than generalist ones.
Ultimately, your enjoyment of this work will depend on your tolerance for monotonous tasks. The nature of these projects isn’t glamorous, and it may not feel particularly fulfilling.
As a means of supplementary income? It’s undoubtedly a handy option. There’s not much to lose by enrolling other than the time spent on the training sessions.
However, if you’re considering this as a primary income source? It’s likely not a strong choice.
