What are digital job markets, and what can they become?

Following on from our piece “What is a knowledge worker?”, this article will explore the kinds of work that could be available on HUMAN Protocol. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the work that could be on the Protocol, but is simply intended to help the community begin to think about the possibilities, and the power, of HUMAN. 

What are digital job markets?

A digital job is any kind of work that can be completed remotely on a computer (or by a computer). Through HUMAN Protocol, Requesters and Workers can find each other, agree a price for work, and execute a transaction. This is how a market for digital jobs is created.

Existing job markets

MTurk, Scale, and Upwork are just a few examples of centralized companies that offer users access to digital job markets.

The problem is that the markets are controlled by the intermediary. 

• The market is closed (not anyone can request work, and not anyone can complete it). 
• The work available is limited to what the intermediary defines and supports. 
• Work is limited by the archaic financial structures through which payment is completed.
• Blind faith is required in the intermediary.

HUMAN Protocol job markets

HUMAN Protocol offers a way for the Requester to deal directly with the Worker. Software governs, automates, and enforces the rules so that no intermediary is required. The technology is open source, meaning any developer can build applications on top of HUMAN Protocol. 

Applications

On HUMAN Protocol, applications are referred to as Job Exchanges. These are the interfaces through which work is requested and completed. They can best be thought of as the tools given to Workers to complete jobs. For a more comprehensive look at how the Job Exchanges work, visit our piece on the subject.

Briefly, HUMAN Job Exchanges currently address the following verticals within the data labeling industry: image, text, and video.

The future – potential job markets

Digital jobs

The first obvious application is to jobs that we already consider digital. This could be:

• Developers
• Digital marketers
• Content writing
• Graphic design
• Software engineers

Anything that can be done remotely – with the work verified, too, in an objective computational manner – can be brought to the Protocol.

Beyond the digital

As highlighted in our article on knowledge workers, almost any kind of job has a segment of knowledge work involved. This work - because it is abstract, not physical - could represent a market on HUMAN Protocol.

• Example: manager on a construction site. Their knowledge of the process could place them in a position to write a safety one-pager for a contracting firm.
• Example: an experienced gardener. A landscaping firm could pay for their valuable knowledge.

Collaboration

The Protocol is designed to decompose large tasks into subsidiary ones and combine the results. 

• Example: a startup’s quarterly report. To execute it, they require freelance work from a lawyer, an accountant, a graphic/web designer, and a marketing professional. Each part could be sent out remotely; each piece of work paid for, checked, and combined to produce the result.
• Example: an encyclopaedia entry. Hire workers to complete different parts of an encyclopaedia entry.

Microwork

Microwork requires micropayments. Blockchain means that one-to-many micropayments are feasible across the globe, which unlocks many previously impossible job markets.

In practice, this means that any group who contributes value in any way (but have had no way of finding, representing, and transacting the value of their contributions) can be paid through the Protocol. 

• Example: data labeling. Identifying a cat in an image to help AI services is an example of microwork, for which micropayment is appropriate. Traditional data-labeling services have not been able to pay per contribution; data labeling work has been limited to those who can dedicate enough time to warrant payout. HUMAN Protocol changes that. Anyone, contributing any value, can be paid a micro amount for their work. No longer is data labeling limited by accounting services.
• Example: Yelp! The value of the reviewers is currently unaccounted for. HUMAN Protocol could provide a solution for the evaluation and payment of reviews. 
• Example: anyone could pay someone to fill out a questionnaire.

Next up

We will release an article on how cryptography unlocks a new world of work. 

For the latest updates on HUMAN Protocol, follow us on Twitter or join our Discord. Alternatively, to enquire about integrations, usage, or to learn more about HUMAN Protocol, get in contact with the HUMAN team.

Legal Disclaimer

The HUMAN Protocol Foundation makes no representation, warranty, or undertaking, express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or reasonableness of the information contained here. Any assumptions, opinions, and estimations expressed constitute the HUMAN Protocol Foundation’s judgment as of the time of publishing and are subject to change without notice. Any projection contained within the information presented here is based on a number of assumptions, and there can be no guarantee that any projected outcomes will be achieved.