Sama

Sama began as Samasource in 2008. It was founded by Leila Janah in San Francisco with the aim of connecting people in lower-income communities to paid digital work. The organization later became a for-profit company and adopted the shorter Sama name. Its company history describes a model built around employing and training people in the regions where it operates rather than distributing anonymous microtasks worldwide.

Today Sama supplies human-reviewed data for artificial intelligence systems. Its main delivery operations are in Kenya and Uganda, alongside offices in North America and Costa Rica. The company works with clients in fields such as autonomous vehicles, retail, agriculture and generative AI.

AI data training work at Sama

Sama's production teams annotate images, video, three-dimensional scenes and sensor data. Depending on the project, you might identify objects, draw boundaries, classify content, compare model outputs or check another contributor's work. The company also advertises work connected to generative AI and model evaluation. Entry-level roles can focus on careful rule-following, while quality assurance and specialist projects may require stronger technical or subject knowledge.

Sama does not currently present itself as a worldwide, self-service freelance marketplace. Its public AI101 recruitment program is aimed at applicants in Kenya and Uganda. Other openings are normally advertised as individual vacancies on the company careers page.

What is it like to work at Sama?

The AI101 route is connected to possible employment rather than instant access to a pool of gig tasks. Sama says eligible workers can receive benefits such as health insurance, subsidized meals and transportation for night shifts. Production work may follow fixed schedules and client deadlines, so the experience can be less flexible than platforms where you log in whenever you choose.

Completing training does not guarantee a job. Sama says it contacts graduates for interviews when positions become available, generally on a first-come, first-served basis. Project demand can also change sharply when a large client contract ends. 

Recent developments and media coverage

In April 2026, the Associated Press reported that 1,108 Kenya-based staff received layoff notices after Meta ended a major engagement. This does not describe every Sama location or contract, but it shows how strongly staffing and continuity can depend on a particular client program.

Sama does not publish one standard rate for all AI data roles. Pay, benefits, hours and contract length depend on the country, vacancy and client project, so check the written offer rather than relying on historical figures from unrelated contracts.

Application process at Sama

For AI101, you register online, provide your details and complete a pre-program assessment. Accepted applicants enter a ten-day training course covering the skills Sama expects in production. Completing the course places you among candidates who can be invited to an interview when hiring demand exists; it is not an employment promise.

Specific vacancies use Sama’s official careers route and their own interview stages. The listing and offer identify the work location, schedule, employment status, pay and benefits; Sama says legitimate recruitment comes through its verified channels.

Sources: Company website · Company story · Associated Press coverage

Information last updated August 2026.