Is there no cost benchmark for annotation? Key components of pricing for creating training data and points for selecting outsourcing partners.

1. The Role of Annotation in AI Development

1-1. Annotations that Affect the Quality of AI

The annotation process is extremely important in AI development. To improve the accuracy of AI, machine learning is performed, and the teaching data created through annotation serves as the educational material.
The positioning of annotation in the AI development process is as follows.

The quality of training data is directly linked to the accuracy of AI, so if the preceding step of annotation is not done properly, it will affect all subsequent processes. Just like humans, if AI learns from incorrect materials, it will lead to the result of not acquiring correct judgment.

1-2. The Steady Work Behind the Development of AI

Annotation specifically refers to the process of attaching tags, labels, and metadata to each piece of data. This applies to all forms of data, including text, audio, images, and videos. Since it is done manually, workers are required to have not only accurate knowledge and judgment but also considerable perseverance. Behind the increasing capabilities of AI, this diligent process always exists.
Please refer to the following article for more information on the meaning and types of annotation.
>>What is Annotation? An explanation from its meaning to its relationship with AI and machine learning.

2. What Determines the Outsourcing Price of Annotations

2-1. Reasons for Outsourcing Annotation Services

Annotation requires both time and manpower. It is not only the annotators responsible for the work, but also the role of checkers who perform data verification and project managers who oversee the projects. Achieving the objectives while relying solely on in-house resources can be realistically difficult. Therefore, it is common for many companies to outsource annotation projects to external service providers. However, the selection of outsourcing partners greatly affects the quality of the training data. This, in turn, has a significant impact on the ultimate goal of improving AI accuracy, so careful selection is necessary.

2-2. Is there a cost range for annotation outsourcing?

How is the price for annotation services calculated? Basically, the price is determined by the quantity of data, the desired quality level, and project management costs. The quantity of data required and the amount of work can vary significantly depending on the project's purpose and the target accuracy. Similarly, the duration of work and the number of resources can also change, so it is a fact that the price cannot be generalized.

3. What is the project management fee that constitutes the price?

 

What is the project management cost, which is one of the factors that determine the price? It seems somewhat vague and unclear. To consider whether it is reasonable as a component of the price, let's take a closer look at what project management, which serves as the basis for that cost, actually entails.

3-1. Formulation of Specifications and Rules

The project manager will hear the project's objectives and required quality, and will plan from the selection of annotation tools to the arrangement of necessary resources. Creating work guidelines, responding to specification changes and exceptions after the project starts, making improvements based on progress, and checking the quality of deliverables are also included in project management.

3-2. Resource Management

Assigning suitable annotators for the project, providing training and attendance management, and addressing detailed questions related to the work are also part of project management.

3-3. Responses According to Security Levels and Difficulty

There may be cases where remote work is not suitable due to reasons such as high confidentiality projects or the handling of data that includes personal information. Arranging and managing an on-site work environment as needed is also part of project management.

 

The above is an example of typical project management, but in actual operations, flexible responses are made according to the project. Project management for annotation involves building a team suited to each project and achieving objectives in an effective manner. Effective annotation cannot be realized without project management. It is evident that this is a very important element that cannot be overlooked.

4. Key Points for Selecting an Outsourcing Partner for Annotations

4-1. Important Factors in Selecting a Contractor

In that case, what should be prioritized when selecting an outsourcing partner? More important than the apparent cost is whether the outsourcing partner has a well-structured system in place for managing annotation projects. If they are such a vendor, you can expect to have project managers who can make effective and efficient proposals while understanding the project's objectives. As a result, you can expect outcomes with excellent cost performance.

4-2. What is the necessary structure for project management of annotations?

Annotators performing the work are required to have both workload and speed, while also needing considerable attention to detail, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the rules and the subjects being tagged. Therefore, a management system that allows for the recruitment and management of suitably qualified personnel, as well as meticulous training, is necessary. Security training for workers and adequate security measures on the management side are also required.

4-3. Issues with Crowdsourcing Annotations

Even so, when considering keeping costs as low as possible, outsourcing companies that utilize crowdsourcing come to mind as an option. However, while the use of crowdsourcing may initially seem to offer excellent cost performance, once the actual work begins, the quality can be unstable, leading to unexpected cost overruns due to additional revisions and verification work. There are also concerns regarding security, such as the potential for data to be dispersed. Considering the losses that may occur if work needs to be redone or if a security incident happens, it is essential to pay careful attention to the balance between quality and price when selecting an outsourcing partner.

5. Human Science Annotation Agency Services

5-1. Extensive track record of creating 48 million teacher data entries

At Human Science, we participate in AI development projects across various industries, including natural language processing, medical support, automotive, IT, manufacturing, and construction. To date, we have provided over 48 million high-quality training data through direct transactions with many companies, including GAFAM. We handle a wide range of annotation projects, from small-scale projects to long-term large-scale projects with 150 annotators, regardless of the industry. If your company wants to implement AI but doesn't know where to start, please feel free to consult with us.

5-2. Resource Management Without Using Crowdsourcing

At Human Science, we do not use crowdsourcing; instead, we advance projects with personnel directly contracted by our company. We form teams that can deliver maximum performance based on a solid understanding of each member's practical experience and their evaluations from previous projects.

5-3. Utilizing the latest data annotation tools

One of the annotation tools introduced by Human Science, AnnoFab, allows customers to receive progress checks and feedback from the cloud even during the project. By ensuring that work data cannot be saved on local machines, we also take security into consideration.

5-4. Complete Security Room in Our Company

Human Science has a security room that meets ISMS standards within our Shinjuku office. We can handle even highly confidential projects on-site. We consider the assurance of confidentiality to be extremely important for any project. Our staff undergoes continuous security training, and we exercise the utmost care in handling information and data, even for remote projects.