Karya Institute
Communities with access to continuous learning and market-relevant skill development will be better positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape of AI. Those that fail to adapt, can risk falling further behind economically and socially.
This is why it is our goal, to create opportunities for everyone to thrive in the world of AI.
AI has the potential to create job opportunities for low-resource communities but today, not even a fraction of this potential is realised.
Karya Institute conducts critical market, skilling and labour research to uncover what a beneficial and ethical AI-enabled future can look like for these communities. We use our evidence to develop ethical solutions that are skills-focused and market-based, ensuring that the benefits of AI are not limited to a privileged few.
Making the future of AI work for everyone
_edited_edited.jpg)
_edited_edited.jpg)
Our vision for the future
We aim to harness the power of digital work to create transformative pathways out of poverty for historically marginalised communities across the Global South. We are dedicated to expanding the reach of high-paying, complex digital work to low-income regions, ensuring that these opportunities are not just accessible but equitable.
Join us in shaping a future where digital work opens doors to opportunity and prosperity for all.
Our Processes
Research
Conducting critical market, skilling and labour research to uncover a future of AI work that is inclusive of low-resource communities.
-
Conducting research across markets, skilling & labour to
-
identify trends in AI jobs
-
Identify skills needed towards AI work
-
Identify ways to make the gig economy more ethical
-
Developing DPGs
Karya Institute will create Digital Public Goods (DPGs) in the forms of rubrics, curricula, skilling passports and frameworks to that center ethics in earning and learning across the AI value chain.
-
Digital skilling rubrics and assessments
-
Digital skilling curricula
-
Intersectional heat maps for the Global South
-
Wellbeing Measurement Frameworks for Digital & Gig Labour
-
Frameworks for Ethical Data Collection
-
Framework for Digital & Gig Workspaces
-
Skilling Passports
Advocacy
We will advocate for ethics and fair pay in AI services through the Ethical Data Pledge and key partnerships with policy-makers and labour institutions.
-
Advocate for fair-pay in data and AI services
-
Evangelize Karya’s Ethical Data Pledge
-
Establish partnerships to drive critical reforms in digital gig labour
Our Process
Digital Skills Passport
The Digital Skills Passport, a core DPG we aim to build, will offer our workers a practical, accessible and market-acceptable way to document and track their skill development. This DPG will support digital gig workers to have continuous and certified growth aligned with an evolving AI job market. Passports will be widely implemented starting in 2026.
Level 1
$5.0/hr
Level 2
$7.0/hr
Level 3
$10.0/hr
Level 20
$25.0/hr
Our Process
Research
Conducting critical market, skilling and labour research to uncover a future of AI work that is inclusive of low-resource communities.
Conducting research across markets, skilling & labour to
identify trends in AI jobs
Identify skills needed towards AI work
Identify ways to make the gig economy more ethical
Developing DPGs
Karya Institute will create Digital Public Goods (DPGs) in the forms of rubrics, curricula, skilling passports and frameworks to that center ethics in earning and learning across the AI value chain.
-
Digital skilling rubrics and assessments
-
Digital skilling curricula
-
Intersectional heat maps for the Global South
-
Wellbeing Measurement Frameworks for Digital & Gig Labour
-
Frameworks for Ethical Data Collection
-
Framework for Digital & Gig Workspaces
-
Skilling Passports
Advocacy
We will advocate for ethics and fair pay in AI services through the Ethical Data Pledge and key partnerships with policy-makers and labour institutions.
-
Advocate for fair-pay in data and AI services
-
Evangelize Karya’s Ethical Data Pledge
-
Establish partnerships to drive critical reforms in digital gig labour
Karya Institute
An internal think tank to study how AI will transform the future of work across the Global South
Our Research Priorities
Markets
What new digital work opportunities will AI create for communities across the Global South?
Skilling
What skills do individuals need to develop to benefit from new AI market opportunities?
Labour
How must the gig and digital labour landscape transform to ensure work is ethical and safe?
Conducting research across markets, skilling & labour to
Identify trends in AI jobs
Identify skills needed towards AI work
Identify ways to make the gig economy more ethical
Digital skilling rubrics and assessments
Digital skilling curricula
Wellbeing Measurement Frameworks for Digital & Gig Labour
Frameworks for Ethical Data Collection
Framework for Digital & Gig Workspaces
Skilling Passports
Advocate for fair-pay in data and AI services
Establish partnerships to drive critical reforms in digital gig labour
Evangelize Karya’s Ethical Data Pledge
Intersectional heat maps for the Global South
Research
Developing DPGs
Advocacy
Conducting critical market, skilling and labour research to uncover a future of AI work that is inclusive of low-resource communities.
Karya Institute will create Digital Public Goods (DPGs) in the forms of rubrics, curricula, skilling passports and frameworks that center ethics in earning and learning across the AI value chain.
We will advocate for ethics and fair pay in AI services through the Ethical Data Pledge and key partnerships with policy-makers and labour institutions.
Our Process
Our Research Priorities
Our Research Priorities
Markets
What new digital work opportunities will AI create for communities across the Global South?
Skilling
What skills do individuals need to develop to benefit from new AI market opportunities?
Labour
How must the gig and digital labour landscape transform to ensure work is ethical and safe?