A new era of technological advancement is upon us, and automation is the buzzword of the moment. As someone who works in a manufacturing company, automation is not a new phenomenon; it has been part of our work culture for decades. However, the level of sophistication and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in daily management seems to be changing things at lightning speed. As we take giant steps into the unknown, there is growing concern about how this level of automation will impact our workplace experience and how we can manage the changes to avoid negative effects.
One of the significant changes that AI automation has brought to the workplace is the rise of surveillance technologies. Employers can now monitor employees using a range of methods, including keystroke recording, video surveillance, GPS tracking, and even facial recognition. At first glance, this may seem innocuous; after all, employers have always had the right to manage productivity levels. Still, this level of monitoring raises questions about how far employers can go, the impact of this surveillance on employees, and the ethics surrounding it.
There are already several disturbing examples of the impact of these surveillance technologies on employees. One example is the use of AI-powered cameras in retail stores. The cameras use facial recognition to monitor customers and send alerts to employees if they are caught shoplifting. However, the systems often misidentify customers, leading to innocent people being wrongly accused and harassed by employees.
The rise of AI surveillance has raised many questions about the impact on employees, and several quantifiable examples illustrate this point. For example:
The impact of AI surveillance on workers is becoming increasingly apparent. Employees feel uncomfortable and distracted at work, leading to lower morale. In addition, employees are likely to feel that they have to work harder to prove that they are productive, leading to higher stress levels.
There are also concerns about privacy, with employers having access to personal data such as keystrokes, emails, and even biometric information. This level of access raises questions about how this data is stored, who has access to it, and how it is used.
AI surveillance is a complex issue, with implications that go beyond the workplace. It is essential to manage the potential harmful effects on employees as it can have severe implications on their lives. Here are some key points that should be considered:
Amid all these concerns and solutions, I have experienced the impact of AI surveillance first hand. One day a facial recognition camera in our assembly line identified me as a new employee. Well, I have been working with that company for over a decade, and even though I laughed it off, it struck a chord, and I realized how uncomfortable it can be to have your identity questioned wrongly. There are also times when I feel watched, and it is always in the back of my mind that my keystrokes may be scrutinized. The whole experience is unsettling, to say the least.
Brookshire, Lauren. (2019). 'More Than Half of UK Office Workers Are Being Monitored by Surveillance Software.' The Guardian.
Ross, Andrew. (2018). 'Digital Technology and Workplace Surveillance.' The National Bureau of Economic Research.
Semaan, Bassam. (2019). 'The Impact of GPS-Based Monitoring on Employee Stress: Evidence from China's Telecommunications.' European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology.
Technology and Workforce Management
Curated by Team Akash.Mittal.Blog
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