AI systems don’t build themselves. Behind every model lies a complex supply chain of data work—annotation, enrichment, labelling, and auditing—often performed by workers in low-oversight environments across the globe.
These workers are essential, yet their labour conditions are often hidden, unregulated, and vulnerable to exploitation. As AI adoption accelerates, so does the risk of reinforcing inequality through opaque, extractive labour practices.
With new regulations like the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) on the horizon, companies are being held responsible for labour standards not just in manufacturing or agriculture, but across digital and AI-driven supply chains.
Fairwork helps companies evaluate and improve labour standards in their AI supply chains.
We do this through an independent, evidence-based audit and certification model developed by the Oxford Internet Institute and WZB Berlin Social Science Center. Our approach is collaborative and designed for continuous improvement, not one-off compliance.
We assess working conditions across data work supply chains, from crowd platforms and BPOs to in-house teams and subcontracted services. Through worker interviews, policy reviews, and risk mapping, we help companies uncover gaps and build responsible practices into their operations.
Fairwork certification is built on five globally recognized principles: Fair Pay, Fair Conditions, Fair Contracts, Fair Management, and Fair Representation.
Learn More About the Principles
We use a four-phase evaluation model:
We offer both a one-time audit and a full certification path, with badges recognizing firms at each stage of their commitment.
For a detailed breakdown of each phase and your engagement options, visit our Certification Pathways page.
Ready to evaluate your AI supply chain?
Let’s work together to make AI supply chains fair, transparent, and resilient.
This certification isn’t just for AI companies. If your business relies on data—whether for training models, operating platforms, or delivering AI-powered services—this is for you.
We work with:
If you rely on AI, you rely on data workers, and that means you rely on a supply chain that should be fair.
Companies pursue Fairwork certification for four key reasons:
Fairwork’s methodology has been applied in over 40 countries, across 712 company ratings, and through consultation with more than 7,400 workers.
We’ve helped companies implement 321 positive changes, improving the working conditions of over 1 million people in digital and AI supply chains.
Our principles are endorsed by governments, recognized by global NGOs, and grounded in ongoing academic research—making Fairwork a trusted partner for building responsible AI.
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