ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training? | Very low rate

lexica_nova — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:31:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: lexica_nova
Post title: Very low rate

Why is there no "rates are too low" option? Rates that are too low in relation to the required qualifications are the main issue. For instance, I once saw a job posting on LinkedIn looking for a native French speaker with a PhD in linguistics, at a rate of 18 USD per hour.

As far as I know, an Amazon delivery driver in France is paid at 16-22 EUR/H, that is 18-25 USD/H.

[Edited at 2026-10-19 05:44 GMT]

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training? | Indifference

Philip Lees — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: Philip Lees
Post title: Indifference

Complete lack of interest.

And I echo Daryo's comment about "long-term". There is no "long-term" here.

[url removed]

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training? | Some very special sense of humour at work!

Daryo — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 21:50:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: Daryo
Post title: Some very special sense of humour at work!

Some very special sense of humour must be lurking behind this poll question!

I'm getting confused about timescales: how 'long-term' could be an activity aimed at ruining as quickly as possible your own profession?

Is proudly steering the ship at the iceberg 'right now' some novel definition of 'a long-term endeavour'??

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training? | Professional Suicide

Hipyan Nopri — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: Hipyan Nopri
Post title: Professional Suicide

I voted for “Inconsistent project volume and pay rates,” as I believe it is the root cause of the other barriers.

Based on accounts from colleagues and translator communities, AI data training projects often end without notice, task availability fluctuates, and rates vary widely across vendors. Without a stable income, a long-term career is hardly possible. The lack of growth paths and the underappreciation of linguistic expertise largely stem from this short-term, low-paid model, while unclear qualification standards are mainly a barrier to entry.

For translators, accepting such work would, in my view, amount to professional suicide: we would be lending our expertise, often at modest rates, to systems designed to reduce the demand for our services.

That is why I focus on translation, editing, and MTPE/AIPE, where expertise is better recognized. I respect colleagues who choose otherwise, but greater transparency on project continuity and rates would benefit everyone.

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training? | Let's turn that around...

Jennifer Levey — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:08:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: Jennifer Levey
Post title: Let's turn that around...

[quote]The Poll asks:
"What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?".[/quote]
Alternative poll question:
"Would you agree that AI data training is becoming the biggest barrier to a long-term career in almost anything (except, perhaps, crime and war-mongering)"?
JL

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training? | Other

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 10:33:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Other

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training? | Others

Thayenga — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 08:41:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: Thayenga
Post title: Others

My non-existent desire to pursue one. SIGH YAWN

[Edited at 2026-10-18 15:20 GMT]

Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?

ProZ.com Staff — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 08:10:05 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the biggest barrier to a long-term career in AI data training?".

This poll was originally submitted by Ana Moirano. View the poll results »