These workers help train robots who could one day steal their jobs

In Karur, India, textile workers like Shoba Kirubakaran are unknowingly helping train AI robots by wearing GoPros and smart glasses that record their every move. This footage, known as “egocentric data,” is crucial for developing AI with human-like motor skills. Despite working long hours for low wages, many workers are not informed about the purpose of these recordings. The practice has sparked concern about labor exploitation and the future of India’s workforce, which is the second largest in the world. Experts question whether India is prepared to retrain and absorb workers into new roles as AI technology advances. While the widespread use of AI robots in factories is not imminent, the situation raises important questions about labor rights and technological impact. QUESTION: How might the use of AI in industries like textiles change the job market for future generations?