Google terminates contract with data company involved in training chatbot AI Bard, data company ``didn't know in advance''

Google has terminated its contract with Appen, an Australian data company that was involved in training the chatbot AI 'Bard' based on large-scale language models. Appen wrote in a document submitted to the Australian Securities Exchange that it was not aware that Google had decided to terminate the agreement.

Customer update and FY23 preliminary results - Appen Limited (ASX:APX) - Listcorp.

https://www.listcorp.com/asx/apx/appen-limited/news/customer-update-and-fy23-preliminary-results-2984290.html

They scored a raise for Google AI 'raters'. Then they were terminated.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90906492/google-bard-ai-raters-fired

Google cancels contract with an AI data firm that's helped train Bard - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/23/24048429/google-appen-cancel-contract-ai-training-bard

Appen had a contract with Google and was involved in evaluating the quality of search results, advertisements, etc. In recent years, Appen has also been evaluating generative AI tools such as Bard developed by Google, and has been sending emails imploring employees to work harder.

In addition, Appen is also collaborating with Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon in training AI models. Appen's revenue in 2023 is $273 million (about 40 billion yen) overall, and Google alone will record $82.8 million (about 12.3 billion yen). Approximately one-third of the total revenue comes from Google and Alphabet.

However, employees working at Appen are not paid high salaries, and some employees are said to be working for as little as $10 (about 1,480 yen) per hour, and the working environment is often was a problem.

In January 2023, Google's parent company Alphabet's labor union petitioned Google and Appen to raise employee wages to a minimum hourly wage of $15 (approximately 2,200 yen). In response to this, the hourly wage of Appen employees was actually raised to $14 (2070 yen) to $14.5 (about 2150 yen).

Additionally, in June 2023, Appen was sued by US labor regulators for allegedly firing six contract employees who publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the work environment.

Google's failure to renew its contract with Appen is a significant blow to Appen. Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini said, ``The termination of the agreement marks an ongoing effort to review and adjust many of Alphabet's agreements across Alphabet to ensure that vendor operations are as efficient as possible.'' This decision was made as part of our efforts.'

However, Appen stated in their submission that they had no prior knowledge of Google's decision to cancel the contract, and the fact that Google did not renew the contract seemed to have been ignored. Appen wrote, 'We will immediately adjust our strategic priorities upon receiving notice of the termination of our agreement with Google and will announce further details in our full-year 2023 financial results on February 27, 2024.' Masu.