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Mercor, micro1 or Outlier? Which AI platform is worth it for physicians
Since February 2026 I have been evaluating AI answers to medical questions alongside medicine, on all three major platforms: Mercor, micro1 and Outlier. People often ask me where to start. Here is my honest take.
What is this about?
AI companies train language models that answer medical questions. To get those answers right, they need experts. We check diagnoses, doses and recommendations, grade them against fixed criteria and explain every error. The work is remote, freelance and on your own schedule.
Mercor: for specific, specialised projects
On Mercor you apply to individual project roles with a fixed hourly rate. You get in with your CV and a short interview with an AI, sometimes plus a domain test. Mercor suits you if you have a clear specialty and want to wait for matching projects.
micro1: broad, including multilingual roles
micro1 also uses a profile and an AI interview and then matches you to projects. There are many expert roles, often hourly or per task. If you speak other languages besides English, you will often find extra opportunities here.
Outlier: the most accessible start
Outlier is a task-based platform. After signing up you take skill assessments and short trainings for each project. It is a good way in, also for medical students and nurses.
What I have learned
- Guidelines beat clinical gut feeling. You grade exactly by the project criteria, not by how you would do it in clinic.
- Justify every rating: which error, why it matters, what would be correct.
- Take your time on the tests. Rushing often gets you removed from a project.
- Join more than one platform. The amount of work varies a lot; with several platforms you have work more often.
The downside
It is freelance work without fixed hours. Sometimes there is little to do for weeks. You pay tax on the income yourself, and if you are employed, check whether you have to report side work.
Bottom line
If you want flexible extra income and enjoy precise medical work, give it a try. My tip: sign up on all three and see which projects come in.