The gig platform Fiverr is introducing a way for freelancers to train AI models using their portfolios, potentially automating future tasks.
During a presentation on Tuesday, Fiverr unveiled a suite of initiatives designed to engage gig workers and provide them with generative AI capabilities. One of the standout programs allows freelancers in voiceover, graphic design, and similar fields to develop AI models based on their existing work and charge clients for access.
Fiverr’s CEO, Micha Kaufman, presented this initiative as a means to guarantee gig workers receive appropriate recognition and remuneration, while providing them with innovative tools to enhance their productivity.
“This is designed to make our freelancers irreplaceable rather than obsolete,” Kaufman stated. “We have developed these features to keep creators at the forefront of the creative economy.”
The gig economy has been significantly impacted by the rise of affordable, easily accessible generative AI technology. A recent study indicated that AI tools, such as image generators and ChatGPT from OpenAI, have increased competition for a dwindling number of positions, adversely affecting writers, programmers, and app developers the most.
There is a possibility that these positions may not return. An independent previous study observed the trend of freelancers being replaced over a nine-month span, indicating that this pattern has only intensified.
Fiverr’s strategy to tackle this challenge is what it calls the “Personal AI Creation Model.” This feature will enable freelancers to create an AI model based on their past work—be it artwork or coding—and set their own pricing for its use. Fiverr insists that freelancers will maintain ownership of all content produced via their models, which can include song lyrics, illustrations, marketing text, and digital ad designs.
“Clients will have complete flexibility to select between a freelancer’s AI-generated work, human-made work, or a combination of both,” a representative from Fiverr informed TechCrunch via email. “They can promptly pay for and download AI-generated materials or request further modifications from the freelancer. They can also reach out to the freelancer whose AI-generated content serves as a model for a project or as inspiration, and request specific services.”
Upon its launch on Wednesday, only “thousands” of top-tier, vetted freelancers will have the opportunity to develop models. Fiverr clarified that they are utilizing “advanced language models” and “generative frameworks,” and that access is not free. The Personal AI Creation Model comes with a monthly fee of $25.
Gig workers may feel pressured to join, as opting out could hinder their competitiveness in an already challenging market. Numerous gig workers face financial challenges, struggle to meet living costs, and lack the benefits and protections that full-time employees enjoy.
Fiverr emphasizes that it will not leverage gig workers’ data to train its internal models (which could potentially compete with freelancers), and that the Personal AI Creation Model can be deactivated at any time.
“The creative work and the AI models trained by freelancers belong solely to them,” the spokesperson added. “Fiverr may collect aggregated, anonymized data to enhance platform performance and user experience, but will never replicate or compete with freelancers’ creative work or services. If a freelancer opts to disable their AI Creation Model, they will retain access to any content produced by that model, which will not be accessible to other users.”
Freelancers who utilize the Personal AI Creation Model will also gain access to Fiverr’s “Personal AI Assistant” for $29 per month, or as part of the Fiverr Seller Plus Premium package. This assistant acts as a customer service chatbot refined based on contractors’ communication with clients. Fiverr claims this assistant, which can be customized, offers “actionable business insights” and can manage routine tasks, such as replying on behalf of a contractor when they are unavailable.
Given the sensitive nature of some interactions, freelancers may be cautious about allowing their chats to be used for AI training. Fiverr has not clarified whether users can select which specific messages will be utilized by the Personal AI Assistant for improvement.
“[The] Personal Assistant analyzes each freelancer’s profile, gigs, and prior client interactions,” the spokesperson further elaborated. “Freelancers will have the opportunity to review and modify the assistant’s responses during setup. After this, they can further adjust its responses by defining specific triggers for hand-offs to themselves, along with managing which questions and answers they prefer the Personal AI Assistant to engage with or ignore.”
In addition to its AI offerings, Fiverr announced a new program, set to launch Thursday, aimed at rewarding “top-performing” freelancers with shares in the publicly traded company. Fiverr did not provide details regarding how recipients will be chosen or the amount of shares they could expect to receive, nor the frequency of payouts.
As of last Friday, Fiverr’s market capitalization was approximately $1.16 billion. Share performance has fluctuated over the past year; however, Fiverr has recently experienced a positive shift in its fortunes.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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