Women in rural India are experiencing psychological trauma from moderating violent and pornographic content to train artificial intelligence systems for global tech companies, researchers say.
Monsumi Murmu, 26, works as a content moderator from her village in Jharkhand state, viewing up to 800 videos and images daily to classify violations of platform rules. She describes sleepless nights and intrusive images of fatal accidents and sexual violence. 'In the end, you don't feel disturbed – you feel blank,' she says.
Sociologist Milagros Miceli, leading the Data Workers' Inquiry, compares content moderation to dangerous industrial work. Studies indicate lasting cognitive and emotional strain, including traumatic stress, even where support mechanisms exist.
India's data annotation workforce, estimated at 70,000 in 2021, is drawn largely from rural and marginalised communities. Women comprise half or more of workers, valued for perceived reliability and willingness to accept home-based contracts. However, researchers warn that working from home can reinforce women's marginalisation, with expectations of gratitude discouraging complaints.
