What is this work?

You’ve probably used ChatGPT or Google Gemini. These are AI chatbots — computer programs that can answer questions and hold conversations. Before they can do that, they have to learn. And they learn from people like you.

Here’s how it works. The AI gives an answer to a question. A real person reads it and decides: is this right? Is it wrong? Is something missing? They write a better answer, or they explain what’s wrong. The AI learns from that feedback. Over millions of examples, it gets better.

The companies making ChatGPT and Gemini need retired nurses, doctors, teachers, scientists, engineers and social workers to do this checking. A 25-year-old programmer can’t do it — they don’t have the knowledge. You do. That’s why they pay well for it.

You log in to a secure website. You see a list of tasks. You pick one, complete it, and submit it. You can do this at any time of day. There are no meetings, no boss watching, no set hours. You are paid for the work you do, not the hours you sit there.

Why senior jobs like this are different

Here is something that might surprise you. The companies behind ChatGPT and Gemini are struggling to find people who actually know things.

They have plenty of computer scientists. What they don’t have is enough retired nurses, GPs, teachers, engineers and social workers who can tell them when the chatbot has got something wrong. That’s the gap. And that’s where you come in.

You spent decades building up knowledge that can’t be learned from a book. A retired GP reading a chatbot’s medical answer and saying “that’s wrong, and here’s why” is extremely valuable to the company that made it. They will pay you for it.

And unlike most part-time jobs for seniors, this one doesn’t involve standing at a till, driving, lifting, or being somewhere at a set time. It’s thinking work, done from your own home, on your schedule.

What you need to know before you apply

How many hours do I need to do? On Mercor, most roles ask for around 10 hours a week to stay active on the platform. That’s roughly 1.5 hours a day, but you can do it all in one go if you prefer. Micro1 varies by role. It’s not a big commitment — but it is a real one.

How much will I earn? It depends on your background. General roles pay around $10–$30 an hour. If you have clinical, scientific or other specialist qualifications, roles go up to $100 an hour. All rates are in US dollars — your bank will convert them when they land.

When do I get paid? Mercor pays every week. Micro1 depends on the specific role — check the listing before you apply.

Can I apply from the UK? Yes. Most roles are open worldwide. A small number are US only — those are noted in the role table below.

Will it affect my State Pension? No. Self-employed income does not affect the State Pension once you are already drawing it. It may affect your income tax position — worth a quick check with HMRC if you are unsure.

Is this a proper job? No — it’s self-employed contractor work. There is no employment contract, no holiday pay, no sick pay. You are paid for tasks completed. That’s what makes it flexible — but it’s worth understanding before you start.

Which senior jobs suit which backgrounds?

This table shows the roles most likely to suit someone with a professional background. After the fit check below, you can browse all available roles on both platforms.