US English Speakers Needed for Remote Video and Audio Conversations

oto is a San Francisco based AI startup building high quality conversational datasets for next generation AI systems. We are looking for fluent US English speakers to participate in paid remote video and audio conversation sessions. You will join short remote recording sessions with another selected participant. Most sessions will be with someone oto matches you with. Some sessions may involve a person you already know in real life, such as a friend, family member, partner, roommate, classmate, or coworker. The goal is to collect natural conversations, facial expressions, gestures, voice reactions, and conversational timing. These recordings will help improve AI systems that understand speech, emotion, nonverbal communication, and natural conversational flow. This is not a scripted acting job. You will be given a prompt, situation, or goal, then asked to respond naturally in your own words. What you will do * Join remote video and audio recording sessions * Have natural one on one conversations with another participant * Respond naturally to everyday prompts or conversation scenarios * Use your normal voice, facial expressions, reactions, and gestures * Follow session instructions and basic recording quality requirements Example session types * Casual conversation * Advice, explanation, planning, or debate * Customer service style conversations * Short reaction tasks * Brief vocal reactions, such as a laugh, sigh, surprised sound, hesitation, or similar natural response Recording setup requirements You should have: * A clear microphone, ideally a USB or XLR microphone * Earbuds or headphones to prevent echo * A quiet indoor recording environment * A webcam with clear video * Good lighting on your face * A stable internet connection Higher quality audio and video setups may receive priority for available sessions. Participant requirements You should be: * 18 years old or older * Located in the United States * A native or fluent speaker of English used in the United States * Comfortable being recorded on video and audio * Comfortable speaking naturally with another person * Comfortable being matched with another selected participant * Able to join from a quiet, well lit indoor environment Due to project specific privacy and compliance requirements, we cannot accept participants who are located in or residing in Washington, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, or Connecticut for this project. Video and appearance requirements Because this project includes facial expressions and gestures, your face needs to be clearly visible during sessions. Some sessions may have additional visual requirements, such as no hats, no face coverings, no accessories that cover the face or lips, and no large headphones that block the face. We will confirm any session specific requirements before recording. Important guidelines * Please speak naturally and do not overact * You will not be asked to discuss traumatic, deeply personal, or unsafe topics * You can stop or skip a prompt if you feel uncomfortable * Both participants must directly consent before any recording session Pay Pay is typically $25 to $50 per hour depending on session type, recording quality, audio and video setup, availability, and current project needs. The applicable rate will be shared before each session. How selection works Please apply on Upwork and briefly describe: * Your location * Your English fluency and accent background * Your microphone, webcam, and recording setup * Your general availability * Whether you could invite someone you know for a known partner session if needed Selected candidates will receive next steps from the oto team.