ChatGPT disrupted the academic writing industry in Nairobi, leading to the collapse of thousands of jobs. Thousands of Kenyans previously wrote essays and term papers for foreign students, often using their clients' university logins, according to the New York Times.
At its peak, the industry employed at least 40,000 people in Nairobi alone, according to researchers. Teresios Bundi, a former writer, produced over 2,500 papers over twelve years and charged $40 to $70 per text.
After ChatGPT launched in 2022, prices and orders plummeted, affecting not only academic writing but also other sectors like transcription, data annotation, and content moderation for Meta. Kenya's government had promoted online gig work since 2016, with companies like Samasource helping label AI data.
"A.I. is coming for bankers, for accountants, it's coming for engineers, and A.I. will come for architects. It's coming for everybody," warned Bundi. He highlighted the broad impact of AI on various professions, suggesting a potential widespread disruption.
The announcement follows a broader trend of AI reshaping labor markets globally, as noted by Oxford professor Mark Graham. The source raises questions about the future of jobs and the need for adaptation in the face of rapid technological change.
Source: thedecoder
