Social media users are shocked by a 'dystopian' AI employee productivity monitoring software that aims to scrutinize employees' every move while suggesting ways in which they can be replaced with automation. A Reddit user claimed that during a sales pitch for such a tool, they were made aware of the software package that not only meticulously tracks employees for efficiency on various parameters, but also uses AI to create a 'productivity graph' that displays 'red notices ' serves. ' to employees and ultimately proposes to employers to fire them.
“I had the pleasure of attending a sales pitch this morning for a fairly large productivity monitoring software suite,” the OP wrote in the r/sysdmin subreddit, while also providing an overview of what the application could do.
“Here's the expected basics of what this application does: Full keylogging and mouse movement tracking. Takes a screenshot of your desktop every interval. Tracks what programs you open and how often, also by default. Creates real-time recordings and heatmaps of what you're in whatever program clicks,” the user added.
Employee monitoring software has gone into depth with AI
byu/cawfee insysadmin
But things got interesting afterwards because the app allows managers to group an individual into a “work category” along with their colleagues. The AI then creates a 'productivity graph' based on the 'mouse movement data, where you click, how fast you type, how often you use backspace, the sites you visit, the programs you open, how many emails you send and compare all this to the data of your colleague in the same work category”.
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'This is terrible'
If an employee falls below a certain cut-off percentage, he or she will receive a warning signal for review, which will be sent directly to the manager and others in the chain. The employee is given a nudge to explain his productivity deficit on a portal.
“It also claims that it can use all this collected data for 'automating workflow efficiency' (e.g. to replace you). The same company that conveniently sells this suite also sells AI automation services,” the OP added.
As the post went viral, thousands of users commented, expressing their displeasure and concerns over the implementation of such software.
“Holy sh*t, this is awful. GOD FORBID anyone take a minute or two to think critically about an issue without moving their mouse or typing. All this does is encourage gaming of the system said one user, while another added: “What kind of dystopian employer would use this kind of software? That's just nightmare fuel for me.”
A third commented: “If this is something your company is seriously considering, get a new job.”
Fear of automation has long haunted the future of work and the implementation of such software could accelerate this trend.
