AI training and data annotation platforms: Outlier, DataAnnotation, TELUS Digital, OneForma and more
AI companies pay people to label data, write and rate answers, and check AI output. These platforms pay the best in the microtask world, but you must pass tests, and projects start and stop.
19. Outlier
What it is: A platform that pays people to train and evaluate AI models, including experts in coding, maths and other subjects.
| Tasks | Writing and rating AI responses, coding and reasoning tasks, fact-checking |
| How you're paid | Usually PayPal or other methods offered in your account |
| Kenya | Open to some countries and projects; check current eligibility for Kenya |
| Realistic earnings | Medium when projects are available; specialists earn more |
| Best for | Strong writers, coders and graduates with subject expertise |
How to start: Apply with your real details, take assessments seriously, and read every guideline. Pros: Better pay than most microtasks. Cons: Work can stop suddenly (“empty queue”); strict quality checks. Watch out: Fake “Outlier recruiters” on WhatsApp asking for fees are scams.
20. DataAnnotation
What it is: A platform paying for AI training work such as writing, rating and coding tasks.
| Tasks | Rating chatbot responses, writing prompts, coding evaluation |
| How you're paid | PayPal |
| Kenya | Mostly open to a limited list of countries; check whether Kenya is accepted |
| Realistic earnings | Medium where available |
| Best for | Excellent English writers and coders |
How to start: Take the starter assessment carefully; there's no second chance on some tests. Pros: Good hourly-style pay. Cons: Limited countries; no feedback on rejected applications. Watch out: Ignore sites copying the name and asking for payments.
21. CrowdGen (Appen)
What it is: Appen's crowd platform for search evaluation, data collection and AI projects.
| Tasks | Search evaluation, social media evaluation, data collection, transcription, linguistics |
| How you're paid | Payoneer or PayPal depending on project |
| Kenya | Projects in many countries, including some for Kenya and Kiswahili |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Best for | Patient applicants who pass project qualifications |
How to start: Complete your profile, apply to projects that match your language and location, prepare for exams. Pros: Long-running company. Cons: Long waits; qualification exams; projects close. Watch out: Never pay for “exam answers”: it gets you banned.
22. TELUS Digital AI Community
What it is: TELUS Digital's (formerly TELUS International AI / Lionbridge AI) crowd of raters and data workers.
| Tasks | Search engine and ads evaluation, maps checks, data collection |
| How you're paid | Usually Payoneer or bank, monthly invoices |
| Kenya | Projects in many countries; Kenya projects appear from time to time |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Best for | Detail-focused people with steady internet |
How to start: Apply, pass the exam (studying the guidelines), and keep to your weekly hours. Pros: Steady part-time work when accepted. Cons: Hard exams; quality audits. Watch out: Real exams are free and online; anyone selling access is a scammer.
23. OneForma
What it is: A crowd platform (by Centific) for language and AI data projects.
| Tasks | Transcription, translation, data collection, rating |
| How you're paid | Payoneer or PayPal |
| Kenya | Open to many countries with language projects, including Kiswahili at times |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Best for | Multilingual people |
How to start: Fill in language skills accurately; apply to open projects. Pros: Strong for languages. Cons: Irregular projects. Watch out: Use only the official site to apply.
24. RWS TrainAI
What it is: RWS's AI data community for language and data projects.
| Tasks | Data annotation, search rating, language data, content checks |
| How you're paid | Usually via the payment method in your account |
| Kenya | Projects in many countries |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Best for | Linguists and detail-oriented workers |
How to start: Register, complete assessments, and watch for project invites. Pros: Reputable language company. Cons: Projects vary. Watch out: Same scam warnings as above.
25. Welocalize
What it is: A localisation company that hires raters and linguists for AI and search projects.
| Tasks | Search and ads evaluation, data collection, language QA |
| How you're paid | Monthly invoices, usually bank or Payoneer |
| Kenya | Location-specific projects; check open roles |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Best for | Linguists and raters |
How to start: Apply to open rater and data roles on their careers page. Pros: Structured projects. Cons: Location requirements. Watch out: Applications are free.
26. Mindrift
What it is: An AI training platform where experts write and review data for AI models.
| Tasks | Writing and reviewing AI tasks in many fields |
| How you're paid | Payment method in your account |
| Kenya | Open to many countries for some projects |
| Realistic earnings | Medium for qualified experts |
| Best for | Graduates and professionals |
How to start: Apply in your field of expertise and take tests carefully. Pros: Uses real expertise. Cons: Competitive. Watch out: Ignore middlemen offering “guaranteed approval”.
27. Alignerr (by Labelbox)
What it is: An AI training community for experts in coding, maths, languages and more.
| Tasks | Evaluating and writing AI responses, specialist reviews |
| How you're paid | Payment method in your account |
| Kenya | Open to many countries; eligibility varies by project |
| Realistic earnings | Medium for experts |
| Best for | Specialists |
How to start: Apply in a field where you're genuinely strong. Pros: Good for experts. Cons: Selective. Watch out: No fees are ever needed.
28. CloudFactory and Sama (Nairobi employers)
What it is: Data annotation companies with operations in Kenya that hire staff and contractors.
| Tasks | Image annotation, data labelling, quality checks |
| How you're paid | Salary or contract pay in Kenya |
| Kenya | Kenya-based roles when hiring |
| Realistic earnings | Medium (formal employment) |
| Best for | People who want steady annotation work with training |
How to start: Watch their official careers pages and LinkedIn; apply directly. Pros: Training and steady income. Cons: Competitive hiring; shift work. Watch out: Real employers don't charge recruitment fees.
Summary
- AI training platforms (Outlier, DataAnnotation, CrowdGen, TELUS Digital, OneForma, RWS, Welocalize, Mindrift, Alignerr) pay best, but need tests and projects come and go.
- In Kenya, CloudFactory and Sama offer formal annotation jobs when hiring.
- Remotasks left Kenya in 2024; never buy accounts or pay for exam answers.
Check yourself
Which popular annotation platform stopped operating in Kenya in 2024? (one word)
Show answer
remotasks
What was TELUS Digital AI formerly called? (two words: TELUS ___ AI, or Lionbridge AI)
Show answer
international
Should you pay for exam answers to qualify faster? (yes or no)
Show answer
no