If you're in the tech world, you've probably seen ads or posts about Mercor. They're making some pretty big promises: high-paying, flexible remote gigs where you get to help train the next generation of AI models. With some serious funding behind them, they’re positioned as the future of hiring.
But then you start digging. A quick search brings up a completely different side of the story from actual users, one filled with tales of non-existent jobs, sketchy privacy practices, and a whole lot of frustration.
So, we decided to do a deep dive. This Mercor AI review cuts through the marketing hype. We’re going to look at everything from their AI interviews to what it’s really like to work for them, so you can figure out if Mercor is a genuine opportunity or just a headache waiting to happen.
What is Mercor AI?
At its heart, Mercor is an AI-powered matchmaking service. On one side, you have big AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic, which are constantly looking for high-quality data to train their models. On the other side, you have subject matter experts. Mercor's job is to connect the two.
For the AI labs, it’s a clever, if controversial, workaround. Instead of trying to strike complicated data-sharing deals with large corporations, they can use Mercor to hire people who used to work there. Experts in fields like finance, law, and medicine can then provide insights and complete tasks based on their real-world knowledge. It’s a way for AI companies to tap into proprietary industry know-how without a formal partnership.
For you, the candidate, the journey starts simply enough. You build a profile, upload your resume, and sit for a one-way video interview with their AI. If your expertise is a match for a client's needs, you might get offered contract work. The promise is a simple way to find, vet, and pay specialists for AI training gigs.
Mercor's process and controversies
A platform is only as good as its user experience. Let's walk through the key parts of the Mercor process and the major issues people have run into along the way.
The AI interview: Smart screening or a data trap?
Your first real step with Mercor is the AI interview. The system scans your resume and then hits you with a series of conversational questions about your field. The whole thing is a one-way video recording that usually takes about 20 minutes.
To be fair, many applicants say the AI interviewer asks some surprisingly sharp follow-up questions. It can feel more personalized than a lot of first-round screenings with human recruiters, diving deeper into what you actually know.
But here’s the catch: the process is completely one-sided. You don't get to ask any questions. Not about the role, not about the company, not about the project. It’s less of a conversation and more of an automated exam, which can feel pretty dehumanizing.
This leads us to the biggest controversy surrounding Mercor. A lot of applicants suspect these "interviews" are just a front for data collection. The theory, which you'll see all over forums like Reddit, is that Mercor is using these sessions to get free expert knowledge to train its own AI models. The huge number of people who report getting a job offer only to have it "paused indefinitely" right after doesn't exactly help quiet these suspicions.
This whole situation highlights a big issue with AI: trust. When AI is used right, it should be clear what it's doing and your data should be safe. For example, a tool like eesel AI builds a private AI agent using your own company's information, like old support tickets or internal guides. The purpose is crystal clear, to help your team with your work. Your data isn't being fed to some massive, external model, so you know exactly where it's going and why.
Working for Mercor: The freelancer experience
Mercor's job posts often boast high hourly rates, anywhere from $25 to over $200, plus the freedom of remote contract work. It sounds like the perfect gig.
But for many who get hired, the reality is a rollercoaster. A common theme on review sites like Glassdoor and Trustpilot is the "feast or famine" nature of the work. Projects get paused or canceled out of the blue, leaving contractors high and dry. People often say communication from management is poor to non-existent, making them feel completely disposable.
The biggest red flag, though, is the tracking software. To log your hours and get paid, Mercor makes you install an app on your computer. Users report that this software demands an unnerving level of access, including your camera, microphone, and browser history, all while snapping periodic screenshots of your screen. This level of surveillance is a massive privacy invasion and a hard stop for anyone who uses their personal computer for, well, anything else.
Trust is everything when you're asked to install third-party software. It's why platforms like eesel AI are built with security as a top priority. eesel works inside your existing helpdesk (like Zendesk or Freshdesk) and connects to your knowledge sources without needing any invasive software on your desktop. With secure, SOC 2 Type II-certified systems, the focus is on helping your team, not spying on them.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Potential for very good hourly pay | Workload is inconsistent and projects can disappear overnight |
| Work from anywhere with a flexible schedule | Communication from management is often poor or non-existent |
| Chance to work on interesting AI projects | Extremely invasive time-tracking software is a huge privacy risk |
| Payments are made weekly | Many reports of job offers being withdrawn or projects that never begin |
Mercor's business model and pricing
Mercor’s main clients are large AI development labs. A revealing TechCrunch report explained that Mercor gives these labs a backdoor to industry-specific data by hiring former employees from top finance, law, and consulting firms. This whole model sidesteps the need for official data partnerships, which most companies avoid because they don't want to train an AI that could one day replace them.
It's an approach that definitely raises some ethical eyebrows. You have to wonder if it's a form of corporate espionage, pulling proprietary knowledge from experts to train AI that could disrupt their former industries.
From a business perspective, Mercor isn't open about its pricing for employers. Some third-party digging suggests they charge a recruiting fee of around 30%, but that's not official. This lack of transparency makes it tough for companies to know if they're getting a good deal and just adds to the general feeling of uncertainty around the platform.
In contrast, platforms like eesel AI put their pricing right on the website. You get clear, predictable plans based on usage, with no hidden fees that punish you for being busy. You can start with a flexible monthly plan and cancel whenever you want, giving you total control over your budget. It’s a straightforward way of doing business that builds trust.
The final verdict
So, after digging into all of this, what's the final call on Mercor?
For AI labs: If you have a huge budget and a high tolerance for ethical gray areas, Mercor might offer a quick way to get the specialized data you need. But you have to be comfortable with the risks involved.
For freelancers: This platform is a massive gamble. Yes, some people might land a legitimate, high-paying gig. But for many others, it seems to lead to frustration, serious privacy issues, and a lot of wasted time. That tracking software alone is enough to make most people run for the hills. If you decide to give it a shot, be incredibly careful and never, ever install their software on a computer you use for personal things.
Ultimately, our Mercor AI review finds that while the concept is interesting, the execution is full of serious problems. The widespread complaints about transparency, privacy, and communication make it a high-risk choice for almost anyone looking for freelance work. In the fast-moving world of AI, it's more important than ever to stick with companies that value trust and security.
Want an AI partner you can actually trust?
If you're looking to use AI to make your business run smoother without gambling with security, there's a much better way. Instead of wading into murky data marketplaces, you can bring a secure and powerful AI agent directly into your team's workflow.
eesel AI is a refreshingly simple platform that connects with your helpdesk and knowledge bases in just a few minutes. You can automate frontline support, give your agents a helping hand, and provide instant answers to your internal teams. With a powerful simulation mode to test everything risk-free and clear, predictable pricing, you’re always in the driver's seat.
Ready to see what a trustworthy AI partner can do for you? Try eesel AI for free.
Frequently asked questions
While Mercor AI is a real company with significant funding, this review highlights serious concerns about its operational practices. Many users report issues with transparency, inconsistent work, and highly invasive tracking software. It presents a high-risk scenario for freelancers despite its legitimate backing.
The primary privacy concern is that the one-way AI interviews might be used for data collection to train Mercor's own AI models, rather than solely for screening. Additionally, the required time-tracking software demands extensive access to your device, including camera, microphone, and browser history, raising significant alarm bells.
The review indicates that work for freelancers on Mercor AI is highly inconsistent, often described as "feast or famine." Projects can be paused or canceled abruptly, leading to periods with no work and poor communication from management. This makes it an unreliable source of income for many.
Mercor requires freelancers to install software that tracks hours, but it demands an unsettling level of access to your computer. Users report it accessing cameras, microphones, and browser history, while also taking periodic screenshots, which is a significant privacy invasion.
Reports of job offers being "paused indefinitely" right after the AI interview are very common among applicants. This widespread occurrence fuels suspicions that the initial interview process might serve more for data harvesting than for genuine hiring.
This Mercor AI review concludes that the platform is a massive gamble for freelancers. It might only be considered by those with a high tolerance for risk, an understanding of potential privacy invasions, and who are comfortable with highly inconsistent work, especially for short-term, high-paying specific tasks.
