Mercor Pays Professionals $2M Daily to Train AI Amid Debate Over Job Displacement
Mercor, a gig-work platform connecting top white-collar professionals with major AI labs like OpenAI and Meta, is paying over $2 million per day in contractor fees. The company employs experts such as doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, and journalists who train AI models to perform complex tasks—raising questions about whether they are securing their future or accelerating job displacement. Mercor's 23-year-old founders, all Peter Thiel Fellows, have become self-made billionaires with a stake in the company valued at $10 billion. The startup is now seeking to raise $500 million and could double its valuation within a year. However, concerns are growing over worker misclassification lawsuits and intrusive surveillance practices. The debate centers on whether AI training represents an innovative new form of gig work or a risky strategy that undermines traditional employment models. While some professionals earn high hourly rates for their expertise, others fear contributing to systems designed to replace them.
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Topics: Artificial Intelligence Gig Economy Labor Practices Startups