Outlier (Scale AI)

Software Developer/AI Trainer

December 2023 • Arcata, CA

What I liked

This job has a very flexible schedule as I can do tasks on my own time. Also, this job is fun and pays very well. They have online training (reading, little quizzes, and sometimes videos) for each project as well as a Google Doc that with instructions that you can check while working to make sure you are working correctly. They have Slack channels for each project so you can communicate with your coworkers and team leaders.

What I wish was different

I wish they would tell me how many tasks I have left in my queue so I can plan when to do them, as well as a backup income source when I don't have that many tasks available. Also, I wish they didn't automatically start the next task as soon as I finish one, because I might not have time at that moment for another task. Also, I wish they told me before the interview that they would expect me to work 15 hrs/week. However, other than no longer considering me part of the "Platinum coding team", there seem to be no consequences for not hitting this quota. I was too busy with school to hit this quota, and they only told me about it after I got the job.

Advice

My one piece of advice is to follow these 3 advices: Don't pay much attention to the AutoCritique AI they have for writing tasks. I heeded its advice a bit too much on my first 2 tasks and it turned out to be bad advice. Just trust your gut and the project instructions. Don't depend on this job as a stable source of income (if you can) because they sometimes run out of tasks for you to do because of random things such as a project being completed or an AI model being down. You may not get more tasks until they assign you to a new project, which can take a few days. Also, sometimes they make you verify yourself with a photo of your ID card. You may have to wait a few hours to work again while they are verifying you. Before the coding interview, practice LeetCode problems (easy difficulty should be enough).

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AI Trainer for Data Scientists

March 2024 • Medford, OR

What I liked

Absolutely nothing. This is not even the actual company. You get recruited by Scale AI for Outlier AI, but you are actually contracted for Remotasks (Confused yet? Yeah, that's the point, I think). I got paid the first week, which I liked, but I was only given a few tasks, so it wasn't much at all. Next week, I had unlimited tasks and worked all week. On payday, they will arbitrarily suspend your account for no reason. So essentially, they will rope you in, and then when you perform substantial work, they will perform wage theft and not pay you.

What I wish was different

I wish I listened to my gut when I got recruited on Handshake. If it sounds to good to be true, then it is.

Advice

Warning: Employer Scam Alert! Beware of this employer! They suspend accounts without valid reasons and delay payments for completed tasks. Numerous contractors, including myself, have faced these issues, indicating systemic problems within the platform. Despite attempts to resolve this internally, the employer shows no commitment to fair practices. Save yourself the hassle and avoid this scam employer at all costs.

332 ${count} people found this helpful