Ben Wray
@benwray1989.bsky.social
Journalist & researcher: [email protected] | Co-author 'Scotland After Britain' (Verso, 2022) | co-ordinator of the Gig Economy Project newsletter braveneweurope.com/gig-economy-project
At the Warsaw Uprising Museum. This is a German soldier explaining what they did to put down the insurgency. Could be a quote from any number of IDF soldiers over the past 3 years but with "Palestinians" replacing "Poles". We are once again living in times of genocide.
December 7, 2025 at 4:40 PM
At the Warsaw Uprising Museum. This is a German soldier explaining what they did to put down the insurgency. Could be a quote from any number of IDF soldiers over the past 3 years but with "Palestinians" replacing "Poles". We are once again living in times of genocide.
...in the wide range of sectors in which generative AI products are being developed.
Workers who, for example, today are para-legals could tomorrow be data annotators for a para-legal AI product, & be exposed to the sort of exploitation which are the norm in data annotation work.
Workers who, for example, today are para-legals could tomorrow be data annotators for a para-legal AI product, & be exposed to the sort of exploitation which are the norm in data annotation work.
December 2, 2025 at 11:07 AM
...in the wide range of sectors in which generative AI products are being developed.
Workers who, for example, today are para-legals could tomorrow be data annotators for a para-legal AI product, & be exposed to the sort of exploitation which are the norm in data annotation work.
Workers who, for example, today are para-legals could tomorrow be data annotators for a para-legal AI product, & be exposed to the sort of exploitation which are the norm in data annotation work.
The data annotation (also known as ‘click work’) workforce are the humans behind AI, who test, train and fix AI systems.
With the rapid emergence of generative AI, the data annotation workforce has grown rapidly and increasingly relies on high-skilled data annotators...
With the rapid emergence of generative AI, the data annotation workforce has grown rapidly and increasingly relies on high-skilled data annotators...
December 2, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The data annotation (also known as ‘click work’) workforce are the humans behind AI, who test, train and fix AI systems.
With the rapid emergence of generative AI, the data annotation workforce has grown rapidly and increasingly relies on high-skilled data annotators...
With the rapid emergence of generative AI, the data annotation workforce has grown rapidly and increasingly relies on high-skilled data annotators...
Traditional temp agencies are being usurped by Uber-style models connecting temporary workers directly to business clients. Agency work is notoriously exploitative and there’s evidence this is continuing on agency work platforms.
December 2, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Traditional temp agencies are being usurped by Uber-style models connecting temporary workers directly to business clients. Agency work is notoriously exploitative and there’s evidence this is continuing on agency work platforms.
Streaming platforms have already ‘platformised’ the music industry but now there are signs that Uberised models are emerging in the live music scene, where most musicians make the majority of their income.
December 2, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Streaming platforms have already ‘platformised’ the music industry but now there are signs that Uberised models are emerging in the live music scene, where most musicians make the majority of their income.
Therapy platforms have spread as mental health support through the public sector is massively under-provisioned, with signs of de-skilling and burnout for mental health professionals working on these platforms.
December 2, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Therapy platforms have spread as mental health support through the public sector is massively under-provisioned, with signs of de-skilling and burnout for mental health professionals working on these platforms.
Education: Trends away from in-person towards online classes has increased the number of digital labour platform models in this industry, putting at risk professional standards and working conditions.
December 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Education: Trends away from in-person towards online classes has increased the number of digital labour platform models in this industry, putting at risk professional standards and working conditions.
Starting with home care, this is a rapidly growing industry subject to widespread privatisation and outsourcing.
Digital labour platform models are proliferating with evidence of significant health & safety and job security risks for a largely female workforce.
Digital labour platform models are proliferating with evidence of significant health & safety and job security risks for a largely female workforce.
December 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Starting with home care, this is a rapidly growing industry subject to widespread privatisation and outsourcing.
Digital labour platform models are proliferating with evidence of significant health & safety and job security risks for a largely female workforce.
Digital labour platform models are proliferating with evidence of significant health & safety and job security risks for a largely female workforce.
At least 5 ‘reds’ indicate high vulnerability.
The study is not systematic of the whole economy so there are probably more which are highly vulnerable - apply the methodology to your own industry!
The study is not systematic of the whole economy so there are probably more which are highly vulnerable - apply the methodology to your own industry!
December 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
At least 5 ‘reds’ indicate high vulnerability.
The study is not systematic of the whole economy so there are probably more which are highly vulnerable - apply the methodology to your own industry!
The study is not systematic of the whole economy so there are probably more which are highly vulnerable - apply the methodology to your own industry!
What would make an industry vulnerable to Uberisation? We develop 10 indicators combining the value proposition for capital (potential for network effects, potential to outsource risk etc) with socio-economic dynamics (e.g. outsourcing & privatisation in public services).
December 2, 2025 at 11:04 AM
What would make an industry vulnerable to Uberisation? We develop 10 indicators combining the value proposition for capital (potential for network effects, potential to outsource risk etc) with socio-economic dynamics (e.g. outsourcing & privatisation in public services).
What does Uberisation actually mean? Uberisation is the spread of digital labour platforms across the economy. If you're selling your labour directly on a platform, it’s likely you're subject to an Uber-style business model where you're paid-per-task and (bogus) self-employed.
December 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM
What does Uberisation actually mean? Uberisation is the spread of digital labour platforms across the economy. If you're selling your labour directly on a platform, it’s likely you're subject to an Uber-style business model where you're paid-per-task and (bogus) self-employed.
The study develops a methodology for identifying industries at high-risk of Uberisation, with 6 industries identified: home care, education, mental heath care, music, agency work & data annotation.
You can read the full report here (includes an exec summary): etuc.org/sites/defaul...
You can read the full report here (includes an exec summary): etuc.org/sites/defaul...
December 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The study develops a methodology for identifying industries at high-risk of Uberisation, with 6 industries identified: home care, education, mental heath care, music, agency work & data annotation.
You can read the full report here (includes an exec summary): etuc.org/sites/defaul...
You can read the full report here (includes an exec summary): etuc.org/sites/defaul...
Marking 365 days 'til the Platform Work Directive becomes law across the EU, I’ve published a report with the European Trade Union Confederation @etuc-ces.bsky.social warning that a strong national transposition of PWD is needed to stop ‘Uberisation’ spreading deeper into Europe’s economy.🧵
December 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Marking 365 days 'til the Platform Work Directive becomes law across the EU, I’ve published a report with the European Trade Union Confederation @etuc-ces.bsky.social warning that a strong national transposition of PWD is needed to stop ‘Uberisation’ spreading deeper into Europe’s economy.🧵
"Caught between the hammer of US imperialism and the anvil of China’s industrial strength, Europe is being squeezed economically and politically."
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Caught between the hammer of US imperialism and the anvil of China’s industrial strength, Europe is being squeezed economically and politically."
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
This is one of the points I make in this Jacobin piece: you can identify liberalism's collapse by the fact that it's increasingly difficult to distinguish between centrist and hard right governments in Europe on issues pertaining to fundamental rights.
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
November 17, 2025 at 5:13 PM
This is one of the points I make in this Jacobin piece: you can identify liberalism's collapse by the fact that it's increasingly difficult to distinguish between centrist and hard right governments in Europe on issues pertaining to fundamental rights.
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
China is increasing the solar and wind capacity it adds to its energy system each year.
Read the full piece here: carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
Read the full piece here: carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
China is increasing the solar and wind capacity it adds to its energy system each year.
Read the full piece here: carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
Read the full piece here: carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
The world's only good news story: carbon emissions have flat-lined in China, the world's industrial powerhouse, for 18 months because all new electricity demand in the country is being met by the expansion of renewables, mainly solar.
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The world's only good news story: carbon emissions have flat-lined in China, the world's industrial powerhouse, for 18 months because all new electricity demand in the country is being met by the expansion of renewables, mainly solar.
"Revenge evictions" - elderly people being kicked-out of care homes because they've raised a complaint. I couldn't have imagined such a thing.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"Revenge evictions" - elderly people being kicked-out of care homes because they've raised a complaint. I couldn't have imagined such a thing.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
Uber wants to diversify its delivery operations into grocery and retail delivery, much bigger markets than restaurant food delivery. But grocery delivery has lower margins than restaurant food, and retail delivery is highly competitive. Diversifying is easier said than done.
November 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Uber wants to diversify its delivery operations into grocery and retail delivery, much bigger markets than restaurant food delivery. But grocery delivery has lower margins than restaurant food, and retail delivery is highly competitive. Diversifying is easier said than done.
Investors were worried about DoorDash moving into the European market by buying Deliveroo (and previously Wolt). Khosrowshahi tried to shrug it off but it's clear that there's very few markets where Uber will be able to operate as a complete monopoly without any competitors.
November 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Investors were worried about DoorDash moving into the European market by buying Deliveroo (and previously Wolt). Khosrowshahi tried to shrug it off but it's clear that there's very few markets where Uber will be able to operate as a complete monopoly without any competitors.
One part of Uber's strategy is to become not just a platform for transport work but a platform for work in general. That's what 'Uber AI Solutions' is for. But the idea that American or European ride hail drivers today are going to become the data labellers of tomorrow is fanciful.
November 5, 2025 at 5:18 PM
One part of Uber's strategy is to become not just a platform for transport work but a platform for work in general. That's what 'Uber AI Solutions' is for. But the idea that American or European ride hail drivers today are going to become the data labellers of tomorrow is fanciful.
Uber massaging the books is nothing new - the company has been trying to put lipstick on $33 billion in losses for years. It's making profits now, but they aren't big profits and it's not clear where it's long-term growth comes from. Hubert Horan may still end up being right!
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Uber massaging the books is nothing new - the company has been trying to put lipstick on $33 billion in losses for years. It's making profits now, but they aren't big profits and it's not clear where it's long-term growth comes from. Hubert Horan may still end up being right!
Khosrowshahi is convinced AVs are the future, but Uber is not well-positioned because he sold-off their AV division 5 years ago. Thus, Uber has to strike deals with AV makers to try to stay ahead: but in the long run, Uber needs the AV makers more than the AV makers need Uber.
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Khosrowshahi is convinced AVs are the future, but Uber is not well-positioned because he sold-off their AV division 5 years ago. Thus, Uber has to strike deals with AV makers to try to stay ahead: but in the long run, Uber needs the AV makers more than the AV makers need Uber.
Estoy en el departamento del periodismo en la Universidad del Pais Vasco y puedo ver que hay mucho entusiasmo para la profesión aqui 😂
October 31, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Estoy en el departamento del periodismo en la Universidad del Pais Vasco y puedo ver que hay mucho entusiasmo para la profesión aqui 😂
Military Keynesianism in all its gory details.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.
October 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Military Keynesianism in all its gory details.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.