How a British Entrepreneur Earns $200 an Hour in AI Training
Utkarsh Amitabh, a 34-year-old British entrepreneur, was not actively seeking a new job at the beginning of 2025, but an unexpected offer from a startup changed his routine.
The company, named micro1, specializes in training artificial intelligence models and invited him to join its network of human experts, presenting an opportunity to contribute to the future of work.
Despite not being unemployed—Amitabh holds several prestigious roles as an author, university lecturer, and founder of a global mentoring platform, in addition to being a doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford—he decided to explore this new venture out of intellectual curiosity, as he shared with CNBC.
Amitabh stated: "Intellectual curiosity drew me in, and the idea of training AI models aligned perfectly with my experiences in business strategy, financial modeling, and technology."
* A Multifaceted Career Path
Amitabh holds degrees in mechanical engineering and ethical philosophy and has spent over 6 years at Microsoft, focusing on cloud computing and AI partnerships.
He has also authored a book on the "gig economy" and wrote a thesis on the impact of artificial intelligence on the concept of success.
Thus, it is no surprise that he found the offer from micro1 a natural fit, especially given the flexibility of freelance work, which does not exceed 3.5 hours per day after caring for his daughter.
* High Earnings for AI Training
Amitabh earns $200per hour for training AI models, having made nearly $300,000 since January, including bonuses.
However, he emphasizes that money was not his primary motivation; rather, it was the alignment with his intellectual and professional interests, although he considers the pay "fair" for a role requiring high expertise.
* The AI Training Process
micro1, founded in 2022, is valued at $500 million and relies on a network of over two million experts to train models for major labs like Microsoft and Fortune 100 companies.
The training process involves feeding vast amounts of data and testing models with complex questions and problems, such as budget preparation and economic forecasting.
This is where Amitabh steps in, breaking down problems into smaller, clearer components for the machine and examining and correcting errors in a meticulous process that can take hours.
Amitabh confirmed: "This task requires intense focus and attention to detail, as errors can arise from either humans or machines, and the work demands ongoing creativity as models continually evolve."
* AI and Employment: Threat or Opportunity?
Addressing concerns about AI's impact on the job market, Amitabh remarked:
"This is the trillion-dollar question."
His perspective balances optimism and realism; he believes that while AI may eliminate certain jobs, it will simultaneously create new ones.
He cited a World Economic Forum report predicting the addition of 80 million jobs by 2030.
He added:
"Knowledge is not a limited resource, and collaboration between humans and machines will remain essential for progress on both sides."
