Freelance marketplace Upwork has announced what it termed a “major expansion of AI offerings and resources.”
Preeminent among them is its AI services hub, an “interactive experience” connecting companies with independent professionals working with AI, alongside new beta features based on OpenAI technologies.
The latter include a job-post generator to create near-instant customizable job post drafts, an enhanced Upwork chat function to familiarize new business clients with the platform, and proposal tips for freelancers.
Additional resources include guides on integrating generative AI into a business, research on the adoption of generative AI in the workplace, and access to the AI and machine learning Upwork community group.
The marketplace has also partnered with Jasper, a generative AI content generation platform, to give freelancers who use the platform access to modern generative AI tools to assist with copywriting, marketing and image creation.
“Disruptive technology and platform shifts create new opportunities. We recognize generative AI will be a force-multiplier for both talent and businesses of all sizes that rely on our platform, enabling anyone who comes to Upwork to get work done to achieve their true business objectives,” said Dave Bottoms, general manager and VP of product for Upwork Marketplace.
“We are always looking for ways to empower our customers with the tools and streamlined experiences they need to work smarter to achieve those goals. The combination of platform improvements, product partnerships and the resources we’re launching today are important steps forward in delivering on that promise of continued innovation.”
The new AI Services hub comes in response to a rise of over 450% in weekly job posts related to generative AI on the site compared to last year, in a move to bring AI-related work, skills and tools together in one place.
Freelancers on the Upwork platform offer more than 250 unique AI skills.
Founded in 2015, San Francisco-based Upwork describes itself as “the world’s work marketplace.” Its users earned over $3.8 billion on the site in 2022, according to company data.
The company posted year-over-year revenue growth of 14% in Q1 2023, to $161 million.
