Microsoft Wants To Monitor Your Workplace With AI, Computer Vision and the Cloud (gizmodo.com)

"If you're an employee under the heel of a giant corporation you should probably be terrified by the vision of the future of connected gadgets that Microsoft just revealed at its Build developer conference here in Seattle," warns Gizmodo. Slashdot reader dryriver writes: Gizmodo reports on a Microsoft Workplace Monitoring demo where CCTV cameras watch a workplace -- like a construction site -- on 24/7 basis, and AI algorithms constantly oversee and evaluate what is happening in that workplace. The system can track where employees are, where physical equipment and tools are at what time, who does what at what time in this workplace and apparently use Cloud-based AI of some sort to evaluate what is happening in the workplace being monitored. Spotting employees misbehaving, breaking workplace rules or putting themselves and expensive equipment at risk may be the intended "value proposition" this system brings to the workplace. Another aspect may be reducing insurance premiums employers pay by creating a strict, highly monitored work environment. But the system is also very Big Brother -- an AI is monitoring people and equipment in a workplace in realtime at all times, and all the data ends up being processed in the Microsoft Cloud.
Gizmodo gave their article the title, "Microsoft's Latest Workplace Tech Demos Creep Me Out."

Comments

Want a job? Surrender your self to Zul

[Anonymous Coward]

Can't wait for this to become compulsory and industry standard. Just what the cube farm needed more discomfort!

Microsoft Executives - Eat Your Own Dog Food

[Anonymous Coward]

Wonder if Microsoft has implemented this software on their own premises? Given Microsoft's track record, how long will it take some hacker to mess with the AI and gets some company on the hook for wrongful termination based on erroneous data?

Captcha: captive

Re:Microsoft Executives - Eat Your Own Dog Food

[spire3661]

Convicted abusive monopolist, just like ATT and Standard Oil. Microsoft earned all of the hate it gets. Also, it outright tried to kill Linux by funding SCO. Dont fucking defend M$ here.

Freedom

[fluffernutter]

Technology was supposed to make our lives easier and free us. How come with every advance, it feels more like oppression?

Oh goody

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

Monitored and evaluated by a computer every minute of the workday, sounds like fucking paradise.

One of the greatest keys to efficiency

[wjcofkc]

One of the greatest keys to efficiency in many types of positions, especially those which require sitting behind a desk, is employees knowing under their own judgment when it is okay to goof off for two or three minutes here and there. I am not talking about the manager facebooking all day, I am talk about the people who get things done. It is important for desk jockeys who know the workflow and their environment well enough to be able to stop what they are doing for a moment, scan some headlines, toss a stress ball around, or whatever, and then get back to it. This produces better work and a happier workplace. Lunches are great and so are breaks. But being able to take a quick BS moment or two out of the day is essential. I could carry on about this as a philosophy, but I'm betting most people here know what I am talking about. We do not need this. We cannot have this... well, unless it means firing deadweight middle management. Perhaps then we can make a deal.