The digital economy is opening doors for Kenyans to earn money online in new and exciting ways. Among the trending opportunities is Handshake AI Kenya, a program that allows people to contribute to artificial intelligence development while earning income from home.
If you’ve been searching for legitimate online work opportunities in Kenya, you’ve probably heard about AI training jobs. These positions involve helping technology companies improve their artificial intelligence systems by providing human feedback and expertise. While many of these opportunities have strict requirements, understanding what they offer and how they work is crucial before investing your time.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about Handshake AI, including what it is, how it pays, eligibility requirements for Kenyans, and realistic expectations about earning potential.
What Is Handshake AI?
Handshake is a well-established U.S. technology company originally known for connecting university students with employers and career opportunities. The company operates one of the largest career platforms in the United States, serving hundreds of universities and millions of students.
Handshake AI is a relatively new initiative from this same company. Through the Handshake AI Fellowship, the company recruits people to help train and improve large language models (LLMs) and other artificial intelligence systems developed by leading AI laboratories.
The program works by connecting qualified individuals with AI training projects. Participants, known as Fellows, use their knowledge, judgment, and attention to detail to evaluate AI outputs, provide feedback, and complete tasks that help AI systems learn and improve.
Unlike many other AI training platforms, Handshake AI emphasizes quality over quantity. The company primarily targets students, graduates, and professionals with specific educational backgrounds or expertise, though they also have opportunities for generalists with strong attention to detail.
Is Handshake AI Legit or a Scam?
Handshake AI is a legitimate program operated by a real, venture-backed U.S. technology company. The company has been operating since 2014 and has raised significant funding from major investors. This is not a pyramid scheme, multi-level marketing program, or get-rich-quick scam.
However, there are important realities to understand. Payment depends entirely on task availability, which varies significantly based on project needs and your qualifications. Some fellows report consistent work opportunities, while others experience periods with limited or no available tasks.
Additionally, acceptance into the program is selective. Not everyone who applies will be approved, and even after approval, you may need to wait for projects that match your expertise before you can start earning.
How Does Handshake AI Pay?
Handshake AI compensates fellows through either hourly rates or per-task payments, depending on the specific project. According to official documentation, hourly rates typically range from $30 to $125 per hour, with the rate determined by your education level, area of expertise, and the complexity of the project.
Payment schedules are generally weekly. Handshake processes payments on Wednesdays for work completed from Monday through Sunday of the previous week. The company uses international payment platforms like Deel or Stripe to handle compensation, making it easier for participants to receive funds regardless of their location.
It’s important to understand that earnings vary significantly based on several factors including task availability, your performance quality, the time you can dedicate, and project demand in your area of expertise. Fellows are paid only for approved, completed work, not for training time, optional meetings, or time spent waiting for tasks.
Can Kenyans Join Handshake AI?
This is where the situation becomes more complex for Kenyan residents. Based on current program documentation, the Handshake AI Fellowship is primarily open to U.S.-based participants with valid U.S. work authorization. This includes U.S. citizens, green card holders, and certain visa holders (such as F-1 students on CPT/OPT or J-1 visa holders).
The program requires participants to have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which are U.S.-specific tax identification numbers. This requirement effectively limits direct participation to people who are based in the United States.
However, some job listings posted on Kenyan employment websites reference Handshake AI opportunities for international applicants. These may be specialized projects with different eligibility criteria, or they could be listings from third-party recruiters that aren’t directly affiliated with Handshake’s official fellowship program.
If you’re based in Kenya and interested in AI training work, here are the requirements you would typically need:
- Strong English language skills: Most AI training tasks require excellent written and verbal English
- Reliable internet connection: Stable connectivity is essential for accessing tasks and submitting work
- Computer or smartphone: Depending on the project, you’ll need appropriate devices
- Attention to detail: The ability to follow complex instructions precisely is critical
- Educational background: Many projects prefer or require specific degrees or expertise
What Is a Handshake AI Trainer?
A Handshake AI Trainer, officially called a Fellow, is someone who helps improve artificial intelligence models by providing human judgment and expertise. The role involves several types of tasks depending on the specific project.
Common responsibilities include evaluating AI-generated responses to determine which answers are more accurate, helpful, or appropriate. Fellows also rate and rank different outputs from AI systems, helping the models learn to distinguish between higher and lower quality responses.
Other tasks might involve reviewing and labeling data, such as images, text, or audio files, providing detailed feedback on AI performance, creating example prompts or scenarios to test AI capabilities, and identifying errors, biases, or inappropriate content in AI outputs.
The work is typically done independently on a flexible schedule. There’s no requirement to work specific hours or days, though some projects may have deadlines for completing assigned tasks. Most fellows work between 10 and 20 hours per week, though the program allows up to 40 hours weekly depending on task availability.
Do You Need Experience or AI Qualifications?
One of the appealing aspects of AI training work is that you don’t necessarily need an AI degree or technical background. Handshake AI explicitly states that no AI experience is required to participate in their fellowship program.
What matters more than formal AI qualifications are the following skills and attributes:
Strong analytical thinking: The ability to evaluate information critically and make reasoned judgments
Excellent communication: Clear, precise written English is essential for most tasks
Attention to detail: Many tasks require careful review and adherence to specific guidelines
Reliability and consistency: Meeting deadlines and maintaining quality standards throughout projects
Domain expertise: For specialized projects, relevant knowledge in fields like law, medicine, engineering, or specific academic disciplines can be valuable
That said, educational background does matter. Many Handshake AI projects specifically target people with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. Higher education levels and specialized expertise often qualify you for higher-paying projects.
For generalist positions (those not requiring specific expertise), the company looks for current students or graduates with strong attention to detail and the ability to follow detailed instructions accurately.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Handshake AI (Kenya)
While the official Handshake AI Fellowship currently requires U.S. work authorization, understanding the application process is useful if you’re a Kenyan living in the U.S. or if the program expands its eligibility in the future.
The typical application process involves these steps:
Visit the official website: Go to joinhandshake.com/fellowship-program to access the application portal
Create an account: Register using your email address. This will be your primary communication channel for the program
Verify your email: Enter the verification code sent to your inbox (valid for 15 minutes)
Upload your resume or CV: Provide your educational and professional background documentation
Complete your profile: Include information about your education, expertise, and areas of interest
Pass assessments: Some projects require you to complete knowledge tests or practice tasks before you can start earning
Wait for project matches: Once approved, you’ll be notified when projects matching your qualifications become available
Accept project invitations: Review the project terms, hourly rate, and time commitment before accepting
It’s worth noting that you only need to apply once. The system will match you with relevant projects as they become available. Application review timelines vary, and just because you haven’t heard back doesn’t mean you’ve been rejected.
How Much Can You Earn with Handshake AI?
This is the question everyone wants answered, but it’s also where expectations need to be carefully managed. Earnings with Handshake AI depend on multiple factors that vary significantly from person to person.
Official pay rates range from $30 to $125 per hour depending on your education level, expertise, and the specific project. PhDs and specialized experts typically earn at the higher end of this range, while bachelor’s degree holders or generalists earn toward the lower end.
However, hourly rate alone doesn’t determine your actual earnings. The most important factor is task availability. Some fellows report having consistent work for weeks or months, while others experience dry spells with few or no available tasks. Project demand fluctuates based on AI lab needs, which you cannot control or predict.
Your performance quality also affects earnings. Fellows who consistently meet quality standards are more likely to be offered additional projects and higher-paying opportunities. Poor quality work can result in task rejection, reduced future opportunities, or removal from the program.
Time commitment matters as well. The program allows flexibility, but if you can only dedicate a few hours per week, your total monthly earnings will naturally be lower than someone working 20 to 40 hours weekly.
Realistic expectations for someone working consistently might range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month, depending on the factors mentioned above. However, this work should not be viewed as a guaranteed full-time income replacement, especially given the project-based nature and variable task availability.
Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
What is Handshake AI?
Handshake AI is an initiative from the Handshake career platform company that connects qualified individuals with opportunities to help train and improve artificial intelligence models. Participants work on flexible, remote projects for leading AI laboratories and receive compensation for their contributions.
How does Handshake AI pay?
Handshake AI pays through weekly payments processed on Wednesdays using platforms like Deel or Stripe. Compensation is either hourly (typically $30-$125 per hour) or per-task, depending on the project. Payment rates depend on education level, expertise, and project complexity.
Can you get paid to train AI without experience?
Yes, you can get paid to train AI without prior AI experience. Handshake AI explicitly states that no AI knowledge is required. However, you do need strong attention to detail, excellent English skills, and often a relevant educational background (associate’s, bachelor’s, or higher degree).
Is Handshake AI available outside the U.S.?
Currently, the official Handshake AI Fellowship requires participants to be U.S.-based with valid work authorization (SSN or ITIN). However, some specialized projects may have different eligibility criteria. Kenyans should check individual project listings carefully for international eligibility.
Is the Handshake AI fellowship real?
Yes, the Handshake AI Fellowship is a legitimate program operated by Handshake, a well-established U.S. technology company founded in 2014. The company is venture-backed and serves hundreds of universities. The fellowship offers real paid opportunities to work on AI training projects.
How often does Handshake AI pay?
Handshake AI typically processes payments weekly on Wednesdays. Payments cover work completed from Monday through Sunday of the previous week. It may take 48 hours for payments to process and become available for withdrawal through Deel or Stripe.
Is AI a good way to make money online?
AI training can provide legitimate income for people with the right skills and qualifications, but it comes with variability. Task availability fluctuates, acceptance is selective, and earnings depend on multiple factors. It can be a good supplementary income source but may not provide consistent full-time income for everyone.
Handshake AI vs Other Online AI Jobs
Handshake AI is just one option in the growing field of AI training and data annotation work. Understanding how it compares to other opportunities can help you make informed decisions.
Companies like Scale AI, Remotasks, and Appen also offer AI training and data labeling opportunities. These platforms often have more flexible international eligibility compared to Handshake AI’s current U.S.-focused approach. However, pay rates and task quality can vary significantly across platforms.
Handshake AI tends to emphasize quality and expertise more than many competitors. The company specifically targets educated professionals and students, which may result in more intellectually engaging tasks but also stricter acceptance criteria.
Other platforms may offer more consistent task availability but potentially lower pay rates. Some companies pay per task rather than hourly, which can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on your working speed and the task complexity.
For Kenyans specifically, platforms with clear international acceptance policies may be more immediately accessible than Handshake AI. Research multiple options, read reviews from other African users, and understand each platform’s payment methods and minimum withdrawal requirements before committing significant time.
Conclusion
Handshake AI represents an interesting opportunity in the evolving landscape of online work and artificial intelligence development. The program offers legitimate compensation for helping train AI models, with payment rates that can be attractive for those who qualify and receive consistent project assignments.
However, it’s crucial to approach this opportunity with realistic expectations. The current U.S.-based eligibility requirements limit direct access for Kenyan residents unless they have valid U.S. work authorization. Task availability varies, acceptance is selective, and earnings depend on multiple factors beyond your control.
For Kenyans interested in AI training work, Handshake AI may become more accessible if the company expands international eligibility in the future. In the meantime, understanding how the program works prepares you for similar opportunities in the growing AI training industry.
The best candidates for Handshake AI (or similar programs) are people who possess strong English language skills and attention to detail, have relevant educational backgrounds or specialized expertise, can work independently with minimal supervision, understand that income will vary based on task availability, and are seeking flexible, supplementary income rather than guaranteed full-time employment.
If you meet these criteria and have the patience to navigate the application process and wait for project assignments, AI training work can provide meaningful supplementary income. Just remember to maintain responsible expectations, continue exploring multiple income streams, and never rely solely on any single online opportunity for your financial security.
The future of work is increasingly digital, and AI training represents one small part of that transformation. Whether through Handshake AI or other platforms, Kenyans with the right skills and persistence can participate in this global digital economy, contributing to technological advancement while earning income from anywhere with an internet connection.
