The Use of AI-powered Language Tools in Crowdsourcing to reduce Language Barriers

Crowdsourcing platforms gather people from different backgrounds to work on completing microtasks. The workers on those platforms are presented with tasks defined by requesters from all over the world. The tasks are defined in multiple languages, with English being the predominant language. It is unclear how language barriers can affect workers whose primary language is not English while completing tasks. In this paper, we study their practices and the impact of AI-powered tools on the completion of microtasks. We conduct a pre-test test field experiment in which workers share their current experience with the platform and receive basic training in the use of AI-powered tools. After a week, workers provide feedback on their practices and experiences. We find that workers who complete tasks in their primary language report less confidence in completing English tasks, and in general, workers perceive the use of the tools as a language-learning mechanism. We aim that the understanding of language barriers in crowd markets can promote more inclusive work conditions.