The reality of digital gig work

Real talk: the 'digital nomad' dream is looking a lot different for refugees in Kenya’s Kakuma camp. Many are turning to tech gig work—like data annotation or AI-assisted research—as their only path to income. But instead of steady paychecks, they're increasingly finding themselves in a weird, opaque system where guaranteed wages are being replaced by "discretionary rewards."

Take Grace, a refugee in Kakuma. She recently used ChatGPT to research Christian hymns for a project via AOP Connect, a platform owned by British AI firm RWS. The catch? She didn’t know the client, the end goal, or if she’d even get paid. She was working for the chance at a reward of up to $500, but there’s zero transparency on how that work is graded or why pay gets denied. An RWS spokesperson told the Guardian that rewards are "transparently upfront," but workers on the ground say otherwise.

Why the vibes are off

It’s not just the low pay; it’s the lack of job security. The Solidarity Initiative for Refugees (SIR) has been training people in the camp to break into the tech industry since 2016. While some skilled pros have landed legit web development gigs, most are stuck doing entry-level "microwork."

Even those opportunities are drying up. As AI models get smarter, companies are hiring fewer junior human workers. Plus, the work itself can be traumatizing. Refugees have reported being tasked with labeling graphic images, including weapons and gore, which is honestly a massive L for anyone, especially those fleeing war zones. Some workers have even unknowingly contributed to military-related projects without their consent.

The hustle culture trap

Joan Kinyua of the Data Labelers Association points out that this "invisible" workforce is being pushed to the brink. As pay rates tank, workers have to stay glued to their screens 24/7 to snag any available gig, often sacrificing sleep just to make ends meet. It’s a race to the bottom where "someone else will do it for less" is the default setting.

Why it matters

While tech giants tout these roles as a "win-win" for refugees, the reality shows that big AI companies are building their models on the backs of precarious workers. When human labor is treated as a disposable, opaque line item, the people doing the heavy lifting are left with zero protection and even less financial stability.