Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English
We Speak with me, Feifei…
Neil: …and me, Neil.
Feifei: Er… Neil, can you stop playing
around on that computer and concentrate?
In this programme, we have a new word
connected to the worlds of technology
and work. It's used to describe a kind of
worker who provides an essential
service for the smooth-running of all
things web-based. A microworker.
Neil: A microworker? Isn’t that someone
who makes microwave ovens?
Feifei: No, Neil, though it does have the
same prefix – ‘micro’.
Neil: Ah yes – and the word 'micro' used
as a prefix, indicates that something is small.
Feifei: But we're not talking about small
workers, we're talking about small digital
tasks that computers can't do on their
own. Neil, stop typing!
Neil: Sorry… These might be things like
drawing around a digital image of a face
to help train artificial intelligence systems
to recognise people.
Feifei: That's right – microworkers
perform simple, repetitive, digital tasks
that help improve algorithms.
Neil: Let's hear some examples.
Since the recession, lots of people who
lost their jobs have earned cash as
microworkers.
Some of the biggest tech giants have use
microworkers to help develop their systems.
Some complain it's badly paid, but others
like the flexibility of microwork.
Feifei: You're listening to The English We
Speak from BBC Learning English. In this
programme, we're looking at the word
'microworker'. It describes people who
earn money from performing simple,
repetitive digital tasks that help develop
computer systems.
Neil: As we've heard, microwork isn't a
full-time job. It's something people can do
as much or little as they want, when they want.
Feifei: On the other side, it's not very well
paid or secure.
Neil: Right, are we done?
Feifei: Yes. What are you doing that's so
important?
Neil: Oh you know, just earning a little bit
of extra cash as a microworker.
Both: Bye!