Handshake's CEO says the AI training world is evolving from generalists to STEM experts getting paid over $125 an hour

The landscape of AI training is undergoing a significant transformation, as highlighted by Garrett Lord, CEO of Handshake, a job search and AI training platform. In a recent episode of the 'Grit' podcast, Lord indicated that the data annotation industry is evolving, shifting its focus from generalists to specialists in STEM fields. According to Lord, the advancements in AI have reached a point where the vast datasets derived from the internet, books, and videos have rendered generalist contractors less necessary. 'Now these models have kind of sucked up the entirety of the entire corpus of the internet and every book and video,' he remarked, suggesting that the demand is now for experts in specific areas such as law, accounting, and various scientific disciplines. Contractors specializing in these fields can earn impressive rates of over $100 to $125 per hour on Handshake, a stark contrast to the $2 to $40 per hour typically offered to generalists on other platforms. This change comes amid significant industry developments, including a $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI from Meta, one of Handshake's competitors. Following this announcement, Google has reportedly paused several projects with Scale, along with OpenAI and xAI, leading to a surge in interest for data labeling services from platforms like Handshake. Lord noted that this increase in demand has been remarkable, claiming that interest in Handshake's services tripled overnight after the Meta deal. He emphasized the competitive nature of the industry, stating, 'If you're General Motors or Toyota, you don't want your competitors coming into your manufacturing plant and seeing how you run your processes.' As the sector evolves, the need for security and customer trust remains paramount, an assertion echoed by a Scale spokesperson who emphasized the importance of data protection in their operations. As the AI training market continues to shift, the implications for contractors and companies alike are profound, highlighting the need for specialized knowledge in a rapidly advancing field.