British Entrepreneur Earns $200 an Hour Training AI Models

Utkarsh Amitabh, a 34-year-old British entrepreneur, found his career taking an unexpected turn in early 2025 when he received an intriguing job offer from a startup.

The startup, named micro1, focuses on training artificial intelligence models and invited him to join its network of human experts, allowing him to play a role in shaping the future of work.

Despite holding multiple distinguished positions as an author, university lecturer, and founder of a global career coaching platform, as well as being a PhD student at the University of Oxford, Amitabh was drawn to the opportunity out of intellectual curiosity, as he explained in a recent interview with CNBC.

Amitabh stated: "My intellectual curiosity was the main attraction, and training AI models aligned perfectly with my background in business strategies, financial modeling, and technology."

* A Diverse Professional Background

Amitabh holds degrees in mechanical engineering and moral philosophy and has over six years of experience at Microsoft, where he specialized in cloud computing and AI partnerships.

He is also the author of a book titled “Side Hustle Revolution” and has written a thesis exploring the impact of AI on the notion of achievement.

Given his background, it was natural for him to accept the offer from micro1, particularly because the freelance role allows for a flexible schedule, working no more than 3.5 hours a day after his daughter’s bedtime.

* High Earnings for AI Training

Amitabh earns $200per hour for his work in training AI models, having accumulated nearly $300,000 since January, including bonuses.

While he acknowledges the lucrative pay, he emphasizes that his primary motivation lies in aligning the work with his intellectual and professional interests, describing the compensation as "fair" for the high level of expertise required.

* The AI Training Process

Founded in 2022, micro1 is valued at approximately half a billion dollars and utilizes a network of over two million experts to train AI models for major organizations, including Microsoft and companies on the Fortune 100 list.

The training process involves inputting vast amounts of data and testing models with complex questions and scenarios, such as budgeting and economic forecasting.

Amitabh's role involves breaking down these challenges into manageable components in a clear language for machines, reviewing errors, and making corrections in a detailed process that can take hours.

Amitabh noted: "This work demands intense focus and attention to detail, as errors can arise from both humans and machines, and it requires ongoing creativity as models continuously evolve."

* AI's Impact on Employment: A Double-Edged Sword?

When discussing the potential effects of artificial intelligence on the job market, Amitabh remarked:

"This is the trillion-dollar question."

He adopts a balanced perspective, suggesting that while AI may displace some jobs, it will also generate new employment opportunities. He referenced a World Economic Forum report forecasting the creation of 80 million jobs by 2030.

He added:

"Knowledge is not a finite resource, and collaboration between humans and machines will remain crucial for the progress of both."