Amazon service Bezos once called 'artificial artificial intelligence' is shutting down
Mechanical Turk launched in 2005 as a way to farm out tasks that are easy for humans to complete but too challenging for computers.
TL;DR
- Amazon will shut down its Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform on September 30, 2026.
- MTurk launched in 2005 to match workers with small digital tasks ('Human Intelligence Tasks').
- Jeff Bezos described the service as 'artificial artificial intelligence' for tasks easy for humans but hard for computers.
- The platform's decline is linked to AI advancements and competition from data startups.
- A 2023 study indicated up to 46% of MTurk workers used AI to complete tasks.
- Amazon stopped accepting new MTurk customers last month.
- Some companies still reliant on MTurk are seeking alternative platforms.