Social media users have been left shocked by a ‘dystopian’ employee “productivity monitoring” AI software that aims to scrutinize workers’ every move as well as suggest they could be replaced by automation. One Reddit user claimed that during a sales pitch for such a tool, he was made aware of a software suite that not only tracks workers for efficiency on multiple parameters, but also allows them to create ‘productivity graphs’. It also uses AI to provide ‘red notices’. ‘ suggests to employees and ultimately to employers to fire them.
OP wrote in the r/sysadmin subreddit, “This morning I had the pleasure of sitting in on a sales pitch for a very large “productivity monitoring” software suite, along with an overview of what the application can do.
“Here’s the expected basics of what this application does: Full keylogging and mouse movement tracking. Takes screenshots of your desktop at every interval. Keeps standard track of which programs you’ve opened and how often. Real-time Records and creates heat maps of where you click in any program,” the user said.
Employee monitoring software goes deeper with AI
byu/cawfee insysadmin
However, things got interesting later as the app allows managers to group a person with their coworkers into a “work category.” The AI then creates a “productivity graph” from the “mouse movement data” showing where you click, how fast you type, how often you use backspace, what sites you visit, what programs you use. open, how many emails you send and compares all this to the data of your colleague in the same job category”.
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‘It’s terrible’
If an employee falls below a certain cutoff percentage, they get a red flag for review which is immediately sent to the manager and others in the chain. The worker is prompted to explain his or her difference in productivity on a portal.
OP said, “It also claims it can use all the data it collects for “workflow efficiency automation” (e.g. replacing you). The same company that sells this suite conveniently, It also sells AI automation services.”
As soon as the post went viral, thousands of users commented expressing their displeasure and concern over the implementation of such software.
One user said, “Oh my God, this is terrible. God forbid anyone takes a minute or two to think critically about a problem without moving their mouse or typing. All this is to game the system.” Encourages to,” while another said: “Would any douchebag employer use this kind of software? It’s just a nightmare to me.”
A third commented: “If your company is seriously considering this, find a new job.”
The fear of automation has been haunting the future of work for a long time and the implementation of such software could accelerate this trend.
