The human work behind humanoid robots is being hidden
MIT Technology Review
by James O'DonnellFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The human work behind humanoid robots often goes unnoticed, despite being crucial for their development. While companies like Nvidia's Jensen Huang highlight the era of physical AI, focusing on robots performing tasks beyond language, the reality involves significant human labor. Workers in Shanghai, for instance, have spent weeks training robots by repeatedly opening and closing microwave doors while wearing VR headsets and exoskeletons. Similarly, Figure, a robotics company, partners with Brookfield to collect massive household data for robot training.
This hidden human effort extends beyond physical tasks; it includes tele-operation, where remote operators control robots in real-time if they encounter difficulties or perform complex tasks. Aaron Prather, a roboticist, notes that while robots are being developed, their autonomy is limited, and human labor remains essential for their functionality. This reliance on human workers raises ethical questions about privacy, as robots operated remotely could access private spaces without the transparency expected in fully autonomous systems.
The implications of this hidden labor are significant. It underscores a concerning shift towards exploiting cheaper labor forces globally, replicating gig work dynamics but with physical tasks performed wherever labor costs are lowest. Moreover, it challenges perceptions of AI's capabilities, often overestimating their independence due to the lack of visibility into human involvement. This matters for readers interested in AI because it reveals the ethical and practical complexities underlying AI advancements, emphasizing the need for transparency and fair labor practices in tech development.
The article also draws parallels to other AI-driven industries, such as social media content moderation, where low-wage workers handle disturbing content while companies claim their AI models will eventually function autonomously. These examples highlight a recurring issue: human work is integral to AI's operation, yet it remains underacknowledged and exploited. The lack of transparency not only misleads the public but also perpetuates an imbalance that benefits investors while neglecting the workers fueling these technologies.
Ultimately, the hidden human labor behind humanoid robots underscores broader ethical dilemmas in AI development. It calls for a reevaluation of how we perceive AI's capabilities and the importance of recognizing the human workforce behind these advancements. By addressing transparency and fairness in AI's
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Originally published on MIT Technology Review on 2/23/2026