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ELIJA LAZARO

@elijalazaro

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AI Data Trainer specializing in Swahili linguistics, improving LLM reasoning with high-accuracy legal precision.

Tanzania

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What I'm looking for

I’m seeking a remote role where I can train and QA LLMs using rigorous Swahili linguistics and legal-precision reasoning, collaborate with global teams, and continuously improve model logic through careful annotation, verification, and measurable performance gains.

I’m a linguistically-focused AI Trainer and Legal Analyst with 5+ years of experience in model evaluation and Swahili language optimization. I specialize in deconstructing Swahili grammar—especially noun classes (ngeli), verb conjugation patterns, and semantic nuances—to strengthen model reasoning for complex, high-stakes communication.

In my current role, I train and evaluate large language models by labeling 2,500+ Swahili data points daily with 99.2% accuracy. I conduct deep linguistic analysis on model outputs, trace failure modes in Swahili noun classes and verb extensions, and use show-your-work metacognitive reporting with prompt response scoring to improve logic and reliability—earning Star Performer honors and a top 5% annotator ranking across multiple quarters.

Previously, I delivered expert linguistic verification and support for 80–100 daily interactions while maintaining a 97% satisfaction score, resolving complex linguistic and technical issues with cultural and grammatical nuance. Earlier, I accelerated transcription and semantic categorization projects, identified dataset discrepancies proactively, and consistently maintained high quality audit results—building a disciplined approach to verification, factual correctness, and remote collaboration.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

AI Data Trainer & Swahili Specialist

Current

Scale AI

Jan 2023 - Present (3 years 3 months)

Trained and evaluated LLMs by labeling 2,500+ Swahili data points daily, achieving 99.2% accuracy. Conducted deep linguistic error analysis on Swahili noun classes and verb extensions and used show-your-work reasoning to improve model logic, ranking top 5% of annotators and earning Star Performer for three consecutive quarters.

LLM Evaluation Data Labeling Prompt Engineering Swahili Noun Classes (Ngeli)Verb Conjugation Patterns Show Your Work Reasoning Quality Assurance (QA)

Senior Language & Customer Specialist

Crowdgen

Mar 2021 - Dec 2022 (1 year 9 months)

Delivered expert language support and linguistic verification for 80–100 daily interactions, maintaining a 97% satisfaction score. Resolved complex linguistic and technical issues to preserve Swahili cultural and grammatical nuance, with perfect attendance and zero escalations for 18 consecutive months while fully remote.

Customer Support Remote Collaboration Linguistic Error Detection Multilingual Communication

Data Processing Specialist

Appen / Amazon Mechanical Turk

Jun 2019 - Feb 2021 (1 year 8 months)

Categorized and verified 1,200+ linguistic records per shift with a 100% quality audit pass rate. Completed high-volume transcription and semantic categorization 40% faster than the team average, proactively identifying Swahili dataset discrepancies to reduce client rework.

Transcription Data Verification Quality Control Swahili

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)

Master of Arts, Kiswahili

2023 - 2025

Activities and societies: Advanced Kiswahili linguistics coursework (syntax, morphology, semantics, pragmatics) and dissertation research on Kiswahili-English language models.

Pursuing a Master of Arts in Kiswahili with advanced study in syntax, morphology, semantics, and pragmatics. Dissertation focuses on semantic and pragmatic challenges in Kiswahili-English language models.

University of Dodoma (UDOM)

Bachelor of Arts, Kiswahili and Linguistics

2020 - 2023

Activities and societies: Study across Sarufi/grammar, phonology, morphology, syntax, plus Kiswahili-English translation and language analysis projects.

Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Kiswahili and Linguistics with core training in grammar, phonology, morphology, syntax, and translation. Developed practical skills through Kiswahili-English language analysis and translation projects.

Azania Secondary School

Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSEE), General Studies (HKL)

2018 - 2020

Activities and societies: HKL combination (History, Kiswahili, English).

Completed the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSEE) with subject combination including History, Kiswahili, and English. Built foundational academic preparation in the HKL track.