Crowdsourcing AI Training Data — A Discussion With William Simonin, Ta-da Chairman

I recently caught up with William Simonin, Chairman at Ta-da, which leverages global crowdsourcing to collect and validate diverse data types for AI model training. In our conversation, we discussed the nuances of AI’s challenges and how we can overcome them. Hope you enjoy.

Welcome, William. Let’s begin with your origin story.

Thanks for inviting me.

I'm William Simonin, a French entrepreneur and co-founder of some companies in AI, tech, and cryptocurrency.

Ta-da comes from Vivoka, our voice recognition and AI company. Today, we're one of Europe's leaders. We specialize in speech recognition and create AI models for our voice assistants using machine learning.

The problem arises when we need big data to train new language models as languages evolve. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task, with agencies providing us with mediocre data and open-source solutions not always up to the job.

Looking back, we realized it's not just a problem in speech recognition but in many areas (computer vision, content management, etc.). That's why we launched Ta-da!

Our aim with Ta-da is to give companies making AI models the best data while making sure contributors get paid fairly.

We want to connect high-quality data with the needs of exciting AI projects!

How do you address ‘AI is a monster, here to take our jobs away’ narratives?

Regarding the notion that artificial intelligence could become a monster devouring all human jobs, we adopt a perspective that views AI as a major technological advancement, akin to the advent of computers or the internet.

Our conviction is that AI's aim is not to replace jobs but rather to fundamentally transform how we work by introducing innovative tools. We anticipate that AI will alleviate tedious tasks for workers while preserving essential human values such as creativity and consciousness.

This inevitable transformation will have a significant impact across various sectors, from journalism to communication, writing, and many others. We view this evolution as an opportunity to rethink and improve our daily work methods.

It's crucial to emphasize that the tool itself is neutral, and its benevolent use depends on human decisions. Our ultimate goal is to adopt this technology responsibly, ensuring it contributes to enhancing daily life while respecting fundamental human values.

Now, focusing inward, what are the biggest challenges and problems in the AI space today?

Currently, we are facing two major challenges in the field of artificial intelligence.

Firstly, on a technical level, we have overcome numerous hardware constraints such as processor speed, bandwidth, and memory capacity for AI. However, one major obstacle persists in the realm of AI training, where ensuring quality remains a significant challenge, and for this, data is essential.

Secondly, we are tackling the crucial challenge of intellectual property. The issue of intellectual property arises during the AI training process, where multiple contributors may collaborate in developing a solution.

Managing intellectual property then becomes a central concern, and we are exploring innovative approaches such as using technologies like blockchain to ensure fair attribution of created value.

Security and data privacy, as well as appropriate intellectual property management, are crucial aspects of our approach to overcoming these initial obstacles in the field of AI.

Tell us more about your vision for Ta-da.

Sure. Our vision for Ta-da is based on several strategic pillars aimed at demonstrating the real impact of our approach on how artificial intelligence companies aggregate and utilize data. We believe our challenge will be fully met when we become the preferred provider for the world's largest corporations.

Subsequently, we aim to revolutionize the microtasking domain through Ta-da, positioning our platform as an indispensable reference point. Our goal is to establish a new standard in this sector by offering innovative and efficient solutions.

Simultaneously, we aim to shed light on the reality of blockchain and create a global community based on the principle of meritocracy. This approach aims to establish total transparency and promote fair collaboration within our ecosystem.

In summary, our vision for Ta-da encompasses the transformation of the microtasking landscape, the establishment of privileged partnerships with major corporations, and the creation of a global community based on the values of blockchain and meritocracy.

What’s next for Ta-da and AI?

The next phase for Ta-da holds promise, with ambitious goals to achieve. Our top priority is to demonstrate the true value of blockchain by disrupting established systems. We aim to fully leverage this revolutionary technology to transform business practices, ensuring complete transparency and enhanced data security.

Simultaneously, we are committed to advancing our application reliably and swiftly, to make our solutions accessible as soon as possible. Our primary objective is to provide a robust and high-performing platform, meeting the needs of our users with unparalleled quality.

Additionally, we strive to make the entire Ta-da process accessible to everyone, regardless of the size or skill level of the organization or individual. We seek to popularize our concepts and tools to make them usable by all.

Finally, we aim to build a strong global community by promoting the values of meritocracy and transparency. By rallying individuals around our vision, we can create a positive and lasting impact in the fields of artificial intelligence and microtasking.