Amazon to Shut Down Mechanical Turk for New Customers on July 30, 2026

On July 30, 2026, Amazon Web Services will officially shut down its crowdsourcing service, Mechanical Turk, for new customers. This decision marks the end of a platform that has been a significant player in the AI training data landscape, often referred to as the original 'Artificial Artificial Intelligence.' Existing customers will still have access to the service, but this move signals a shift in Amazon's strategy regarding crowdsourced data solutions. The implications for AI practitioners include the need to seek alternative platforms for human-in-the-loop tasks, as Mechanical Turk has been a staple resource for many in the industry. This follows a broader trend of companies reevaluating their reliance on traditional crowdsourcing methods in favor of more automated solutions. For further details, see The Decoder.