The Ghost Work Behind Artificial Intelligence

An expert on how data and algorithms are changing work responds to Janelle Shane's "The Skeleton Crew." "The Skeleton Crew" asks us to consider two questions. The first is an interesting twist on an age-old thought experiment. But the second is more complicated, because the story invites us to become aware of a very real phenomenon and to consider what, if anything, should be done about the way the world is working for some people. The first question explores what it would mean if our machines, robots, and now artificial intelligences had feelings the way we do. "The Skeleton Crew" offers an interesting twist because the A.I. indeed has feelings just like us, because it is, in fact, us: The A.I. is a group of remote workers faking the operations of a haunted house to make it seem automated and intelligent.