Corporate Surveillance: AI's Growing Role in Employee Monitoring
How can we ensure that AI-powered surveillance systems are not used to invade employees' privacy or create a climate of fear and mistrust at the workplace?
There's a noticeable shift towards optimism regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a workplace assistant. However, concurrently, reports are emerging from various corners of the globe about corporations deploying AI for intensive employee surveillance, even going as far as tracking keyboard strokes on computers. This situation triggers ethical concerns and raises questions about its legality. Can companies legitimately engage in such practices?
The workplace landscape is undergoing a transformation as AI tools and assistants become increasingly integrated into various facets of daily tasks. This transition is met with a sense of hope as AI promises to enhance efficiency and productivity for workers. However, a parallel narrative highlights a growing concern – the extent to which AI is used to monitor employees.
Alarming reports of invasive surveillance practices, such as tracking keyboard inputs, have stirred debates about the ethical implications of such actions. The question of whether these practices align with legal standards also looms large.
But before I go ahead, let’s look at the Job Indicator to understand the march of AI.
In Today’s Newsletter:
Ethical Use of AI in the Workplace: Where Do Things Stand?
You Will Find AI Jobs the Most in These Sectors
Indeed Survey Reveals Exceptional Employer Confidence in AI's Role in Job Growth in India
AI and Pension: Netherlands Leads
AI Skeptics: Find Encouragement in Everyday AI Applications like ATMs and Excel
What the Rise of AI Really Means for Jobs
India's Strategic Initiatives in the AI Race: Establishing Centers of Excellence and Sparking a Data Revolution
Gen-AI Cuts Research and Document Prep Time, Lawyers Must Rethink Fee Structures
Stack Overflow to Cut Workforce by 28% Amid Profitability Concerns and AI's Impact
MIT Study Reveals Human Bias in Perception of AI-Generated Work
AI and Bioacoustics Being Used in Forest Recovery Monitoring
Interview: Hanna Zhu, co-founder of “Boolv Tech”
New Transparency Index for LLMs
Google to Safeguard Users of Generative AI from Copyright Claims
New York City Introduces Groundbreaking AI Action Blueprint for Ensuring Safe and Effective AI Integration
Plus: Top Picks, and much more.
Beginning this week, I will commence each newsletter by sharing an observation, comment, or opinion regarding the current state of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Ethical Use of AI in the Workplace: Where Do Things Stand?
As of now, there are three major areas of concern on the use of AI in the workplace - Employee Surveillance, Recruitment, and Monitoring of Daily Tasks.
While AI can potentially improve productivity, efficiency, and safety, it also raises important ethical concerns. One of the most pressing issues is using AI to surveil employees.
Most of you are unaware that AI-powered surveillance systems can be used to track an employee’s movements, monitor their communications, and even log their keystrokes. While some companies may argue that these systems are necessary to prevent theft, fraud, and other misconduct, there is a risk that they could also be used to invade employees' privacy and create a climate of fear and mistrust.
For example, some companies have used AI-powered facial recognition software to monitor employees' attendance and breaks. This software can track employees' movements throughout the office and identify them even if they are wearing masks. While this technology may be effective in preventing unauthorized access to the office, it also raises concerns about employee privacy.
Another example of AI-powered surveillance is the use of keystroke logging software to monitor employee productivity. This software can track the number of keystrokes typed per minute and the time spent on different applications. While this technology may be used to identify employees who are not working hard enough, it also raises concerns about employee privacy and the potential for abuse.
Crucial questions around this issue:
How can we ensure that AI-powered surveillance systems are not used to invade employees' privacy or create a climate of fear and mistrust?
How can we ensure that AI-powered surveillance systems are used in a fair and unbiased manner?
Who is accountable for the decisions made by AI-powered surveillance systems?
What are the potential consequences of using AI to surveil employees on a large scale?
If you feel strongly about any of the above, do post your comments.
NEW
You Can Search This Newsletter Website For Answers To Questions On AI and Employment. Try it!
You Will Find AI Jobs the Most in These Sectors
For those presently learning AI, the choice of which industry to enter is crucial, directly impacting the availability of rewarding and well-paying positions.
A recent analysis by Dice.com revealed some noteworthy trends in AI-related job postings over the past few years. Notably, the education and real estate sectors have experienced significant growth in these job opportunities since 2021.
Moreover, the healthcare and information sectors have shown a consistent appetite for AI talent, although there was a slight dip in hiring numbers last year. The accompanying chart provides a visual representation of these industry trends.
Source: dice.com
Indian Employers Express Remarkable Optimism About AI's Contribution to Job Creation: Indeed Survey
A recent worldwide survey conducted by Indeed, the global job-matching and hiring platform, has highlighted the changing dynamics among employers, job seekers, vis-a-vis AI, illuminating their expectations, apprehensions, and the current applications of the tech in the realm of recruitment.
According to the survey's findings, Indian employers exhibit notable optimism regarding AI's role in fostering job creation, with over 85% expressing confidence in AI's capacity to generate fresh employment opportunities within the next 1 to 5 years. This buoyant outlook is mirrored among job seekers, where 63% express enthusiasm for the potential impact of AI, and 53% believe that AI possesses the potential to spur job growth.
This optimism is rooted in the belief that AI can:
Enhance work productivity and manageability (86%)
Assist job seekers in acquiring or honing their skills (85%)
Empower job seekers to focus on more intricate and meaningful tasks (47%)
Simplify the hiring process by placing emphasis on skills and potential rather than solely on experience (43%)
Likewise, employers anticipate AI's positive effects on their employees' tasks (85%) and foresee enhanced job security and career development opportunities for their workforce (77%).
Source: businesstoday.com
AI and Pension: Netherlands Leads
The newly released Mercer CFA Institute's global pensions report underscores the potential of AI to enhance pension performance by reducing expenses and highlighting forthcoming risks.
This annual survey is conducted in collaboration with the CFA Institute, Mercer, and the Monash Centre for Financial Studies. This year's index has placed the Netherlands at the pinnacle of pension system rankings.
Furthermore, AI can be leveraged for other purposes, such as crafting personalized investment portfolios and recognizing anomalies within the market. Nevertheless, the report acknowledges the inherent challenge of accurately predicting market movements using AI, and as a result, uncertainties persist in this regard.
The survey also underscored the risks associated with AI models producing false or misleading information when applied in novel contexts. Additionally, it underlined the susceptibility of pension members' data to cyberattacks, highlighting the need for robust security measures in the financial sector.
Source: reuters.com
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Thanks for reading “AI For Real”. There are two versions of this newsletter - Free and Paid. If you press the “Subscribe” tab, it will get you your free subscription. But that will fetch you the bare basics. To grab the entire bundle that comes with this newsletter, it would be better if you become a Paid subscriber.
…..where every week, I shortlist interesting articles, posts, podcasts, and videos on AI.
AI Skeptics: Find Encouragement in Everyday AI Applications like ATMs and Excel
Understandably, the growing apprehension surrounding the future of AI and its potential to replace human jobs has sparked anxiety within the workforce.
But if you belong to this group, maybe this report will give you hope.
Delving into the annals of innovation, including ATMs (cash dispensing machines) and Microsoft Excel, we have realized that, despite initial trepidation of any tech, they ultimately ushered in new employment prospects and heightened operational efficiency across diverse sectors.
In a recent research report, Morgan Stanley, a prominent banking institution, compares AI's ascent and previous technological advancement epochs. The report proposes that while AI disruptions may impact employment, the collaboration between private and public sectors can ameliorate these disruptions. However, it underscores the pressing necessity for substantially upscaling workforce retraining efforts in the United States.
Despite the reservations associated with AI and the specter of job displacement, there exists empirical evidence that emerging technologies can ultimately yield favorable outcomes.
The ATM Case
Consider ATMs as a case in point, which initially raised concerns about the obsolescence of banking positions but ultimately led to the genesis of fresh roles and improved customer service within the industry.
The Excel Case
Similarly, Microsoft Excel precipitated a revolution in how businesses manage data and analysis, culminating in heightened productivity and augmented demand for proficient professionals in this domain.
What Does It Mean For Us: While trepidation regarding AI's potential job erosion is well-founded, history shows that novel technologies can catalyze constructive change. The instances of ATMs and Microsoft Excel underscore that innovation can engender fresh employment opportunities and enhance operational efficiency across various sectors. With the right strategy and investments in retraining, the latent potential of AI can be harnessed while mitigating its adverse effects on the workforce.
Source: indiatimes.com
What the Rise of AI Really Means for Jobs
I found this particular opinion piece well-written and putting out a well-argued opinion.
While the prevailing belief is that the creation of new roles will offset automation-related job losses, AI introduces a distinctive threat to white collar employment, claim many.
Historically, technological progress primarily affected factory and labor workers, but AI is now poised to impact professions like medicine, law, and engineering, which have traditionally thrived on technical innovation. This concern has been a focal point at various recent AI-centric events, where experts have underscored the imperative need to prepare for the looming obsolescence of specific job categories.
In the 1950s, MIT professor Robert M. Solow devised a mathematical model revealing that over 50% of economic growth stemmed from technological advancement. This model spotlighted the substantial influence new technologies could exert on job markets.
However, AI's distinctiveness lies in its automation character, which directly jeopardizes white collar employment. Unlike past technological breakthroughs that primarily influenced productivity-based sectors, AI possesses the potential to disrupt domains contingent on innovation and educational attainment, such as medicine, law, and engineering.
Experts stress the urgency of readiness to address this looming challenge, particularly by ensuring that the workforce possesses the necessary skills to navigate the shifting employment terrain.
Source: wraltechwire.com
India's Strategic Moves in the AI Race: Centers of Excellence and a Data Revolution
The Indian government, acknowledging AI's potential for fueling economic growth, says it is committed to harnessing its capabilities. This commitment is reflected in the formation of seven committees tasked with shaping a holistic AI policy roadmap.
Recently, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during the 2023 Budget announcement, had unveiled plans to establish three Centers of Excellence dedicated to AI. These centers will concentrate on pivotal sectors, encompassing governance, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. Their objectives span a wide spectrum, from research and technology development to fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurial ventures, and advancing AI skill sets.
What’s more, the Indian government is gearing up to launch the India Datasets Platform, poised to become one of the world's largest repositories of publicly assembled and anonymized datasets. The working group recommends that this platform feature an array of data and an API catalog, streamlining resource discovery for users.
The working group has suggested the prompt establishment of the National Data Management Office within two months to oversee the India Datasets Platform. Additionally, they have proposed the introduction of data management units within various ministries and departments to elevate data quality and utilization.
Source: moneycontrol.com
Gen-AI Cuts Research and Document Prep Time, Lawyers Must Rethink Fee Structures
At a conference organized by the New York State Bar Association, a panel of experts weighed in on the impact of AI on the legal profession. They predicted that lawyers responsible for high-level legal strategies for clients need not fear AI; however, for those involved in research and the drafting of legal documents, significant changes lie ahead.
Panelist Massimo Sterpi, a partner at Gianni & Origoni in Rome, explained that the battle won't be between humans and AI but between humans with AI and humans without AI. He emphasized that AI will alter the legal landscape, making legal work more complex and sophisticated.
As AI, particularly generative AI, reduces the hours required for research and document preparation, lawyers will need to reevaluate their fee structures. Instead of billing by hours worked, focusing on charging for results will become more sensible—a substantial shift for the legal profession.
Sterpi highlighted that even routine tasks, such as drafting rental agreements, are among the approximately 300 million jobs worldwide that Goldman Sachs estimates could be eliminated due to AI. The panelists urged junior lawyers to promptly acquire AI skills and attain higher-level legal expertise that automation cannot replicate.
What Does It Mean For Us: The legal field is on the brink of transformation due to AI. Lawyers responsible for high-level strategic thinking may find their roles enhanced, while those engaged in research and document drafting will experience significant changes. Evolving fee structures and a call for more advanced legal skills signal the need for adaptation in the legal profession.
Source: nysba.org
Stack Overflow to Cut Workforce by 28% Amid Profitability Concerns and AI's Impact
Stack Overflow, a renowned coding resource and community forum, has recently announced a significant reduction in its workforce by 28%. The decision was attributed to profitability challenges and undisclosed "macroeconomic pressures," as stated by CEO Prashanth Chandrasekar.
This strategic move comes at a time when AI, particularly generative AI, is transforming the landscape of coding and research. Stack Overflow has observed a decline in website traffic, as developers increasingly turn to machine learning-based solutions like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Interestingly, Stack Overflow had expanded its workforce just before the rise of ChatGPT and the proliferation of generative AI that introduced chatbots into various tech sectors, including coding. This expansion coincided with the company's development of its AI suite, OverflowAI. While the introduction of AI may have contributed to the decision to reduce expenses, it's essential to consider the substantial costs associated with the development and operation of AI programs in the tech industry.
Source: siliconangle.com
Exciting Opportunities for Newsletter Sponsorship!
Discover available ad and sponsorship slots for this newsletter by clicking on this link. Explore the various packages to find the perfect fit for your brand.
If you would like further information, please don't hesitate to contact me. Let's collaborate and customize the best deal tailored to your specific needs. Click on the tab above. Or, for individual requirements, write to marketing (at) newagecontentservices.com
MIT Study Reveals Human Bias in Perception of AI-Generated Work
This is a highly interesting study conducted by researchers from MIT's Initiative on the Digital Economy. The aim was to look into how humans perceived work produced by generative artificial intelligence (AI), humans, or a fusion of the two.
The study found that people preferred content created by humans when they knew the source. Interestingly, even when people were aware that content was AI-generated, they didn't show a dislike for it, which goes against the idea of "algorithmic aversion.
For this study, researchers undertook two tasks: composing marketing copy for retail products and crafting persuasive content for uncontroversial campaigns. In one approach, they harnessed AI, specifically GPT-4, to generate ideas, while in the other approach, humans created initial drafts that were subsequently refined using generative AI. The objective was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various ways humans and AI can collaborate and to identify inherent biases in individuals' assessments.
The findings disclosed that when participants lacked information about the source of the marketing or campaign content, they favored the outcomes generated by AI. This indicated that generative AI is adept at performing as well as or even outperforming humans in persuasive tasks. However, when participants were informed about the source of the content, their evaluation of work involving humans improved, signifying a "human favoritism" bias.
This study underscores the significance of comprehending how people perceive work created by AI, humans, or a fusion of both. The acceptance and reception of generative AI applications will ultimately hinge on consumer preferences, underscoring the necessity for further research in this domain.
Source: medium.com
AI and Bioacoustics Being Used in Forest Recovery Monitoring
A recent study published in Nature Communications has unveiled the potential of AI coupled with bioacoustics in tracking forest recovery and assessing ecosystem health.
Researchers focused their attention on reforestation endeavors in Ecuador, where extensive tropical forest loss had occurred due to logging. They employed AI to recognize wildlife species through bioacoustic recordings from different stages of post-logging recovery. The study found that as the land rejuvenated after logging, the bioacoustics grew richer with the sounds of its diverse fauna. These soundscapes promise to effectively monitor ecosystem recovery and verify conservation initiatives' success.
Reforestation projects in abandoned agricultural areas offer a means to combat carbon emissions and biodiversity decline. Yet, such projects have faced scrutiny in recent times, primarily due to inadequate monitoring and insufficient follow-through. Soundscapes present a cost-effective and efficient tool for conservation managers to monitor ecosystem recovery. By employing swift biodiversity metrics, they can ensure that reforestation projects fulfill their stated objectives, thus preventing instances of greenwashing.
Conventional biodiversity tracking methods, like metabarcoding, involve DNA analysis to pinpoint specific species populations. Nevertheless, the utilization of soundscapes and AI offers a more accessible and holistic approach to monitoring ecosystem resurgence.
Source: spokesman.com
‘AI For Real’ Has Its Own Page On LinkedIn. Join, Now.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@aiforreal
In the 7th episode of “60 Secs With AI Founders”, I spoke* with Hanna Zhu who is co-founder of “Boolv Tech”, a startup empowering AI to build video products and relevant tools for e-commerce and creators. Before Boolv, Hanna was a leader in world-renowned corporations and startups, including Tesla and Walmart, innovating in data and AI. Hanna holds a Master’s degree in Statistics from UPenn and a Bachelor’s degree with double majors in Mathematics and Psychology from UIUC.
Boolv Tech, founded by engineers and artists, aims to democratize AI's creative potential for businesses. Every product has a unique story to tell. Boolv Tech’s AI-driven video solutions aim to enable business owners and creators to fully leverage their business's potential through short videos and stand out in the market.
Q&A
Q1) What are the challenges of being an AI entrepreneur?
Hanna: I think the biggest challenge for me as a leader is that for almost every step of our building, I need to choose the optimal solution balancing use case, cost and effect, especially a lot of "fancy" effects that tech gurus are talking about on the most trendy AIGC tech. A lot of time, I have to face people challenging us as to why they don't see fancy, trendy AIGC features when we are an AI company - Our first priority is always the true use case for our target customers, for which we actually put more effort in user experience and our own solution combining AI and human logics to generate best creatives that are truly useful for small business marketing, instead of simply adding public AGI features to pretend to be fancy.
Q2) Name 2 of the biggest opportunities you see in the AI industry
Hanna: 1) The infrastructure of AGI is almost done (AIGC pics and texts). Both content quality and quantity are over a thousand times more than before. Better content can be derived from them.
2) Based on the infrastructure of huge models, now it's an era for truly useful AI applications serving niche business scenarios that can utilize the powers of huge models while understanding the business they serve better.
Q3) Do you think AI is a job gobbler or just a smart assistant, as of now? What about the same in the future?
Hanna: Job gobbler for some functional jobs but much more meaningful as a smart assistant for people with either creativity or thorough expertise in a specific area. I think in the future, I will put the same sentence, only removing "expertise in a specific area" since, logically, AI will replace this part too:) I'm a strong believer in human creativity, though. AI is creative, too, but it's different from humans. Human creativity is one of the most important things that matters for humanity, as long as it still exists.
(*Interviews in this segment are edited for clarity and brevity.)
- Your story matters. Your innovation matters -
Do you want to be featured in “60 Seconds With AI Founders”? Are you an AI entrepreneur, startup founder, AI product builder, or the head of an AI non-profit? You can get your point of view across to the rest of the world.
Reply in the Comments section here or email marketing (at) newagecontentservices.com with the subject line: Yes to 60 seconds. I shall revert.
How Transparent is Your LLM?
A newly set up index by Stanford researchers has shown the most transparent large language model (LLM) among the ten evaluated was LLaMA 2, achieving a transparency score of 54 percent.
Notably, GPT-4, which powers ChatGPT’s paid version, and Google’s PaLM 2 both received identical transparency scores, securing the third-highest ranking at 40 percent.
The unveiling of the Foundation Model Transparency Index promises to set new standards and expectations for transparency in the realm of AI, with the potential to influence how these powerful language models are developed and utilized in the future.
Source: Whats New On The Net
After Microsoft, Google to Safeguard Users of Generative AI from Copyright Claims
Google has declared its commitment to defending users of its generative AI technology against potential copyright claims. This decision comes in the wake of growing concerns surrounding the use of AI in content generation and the legal implications it poses. Several major tech companies, including Google, have made substantial investments in generative AI and have integrated it into various products and services.
Notably, some prominent writers, illustrators, and copyright owners have filed lawsuits, asserting that the utilization of their work in training AI systems and the content generated by these systems infringe upon their intellectual property rights. Google asserts that it is the first in the industry to adopt a comprehensive approach to indemnity, covering both types of copyright claims. This policy extends to various software, including the Vertex AI development platform and the Duet AI system. However, it's essential to note that the policy does not apply to intentional infringement of others' rights.
Source: reuters.com
New York City Unveils Landmark AI Action Plan to Ensure Safe and Effective AI Implementation
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser recently introduced the city's pioneering Artificial Intelligence Action Plan.
This comprehensive initiative, the first of its kind in a major US city, aims to navigate the complexities of AI, harnessing its potential while safeguarding against potential risks, and equipping city government employees with the skills and knowledge to utilize AI technology responsibly for the betterment of the city's residents.
The initiative focuses on several key areas, including the creation of a robust framework for evaluating AI tools and assessing their associated risks. Additionally, it emphasizes the development of AI expertise and capabilities among government employees and supports the ethical and responsible integration of AI technology. Mayor Adams emphasized the need for a balanced approach, stating, "While artificial intelligence presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to more effectively serve New Yorkers, we must remain vigilant about the potential downsides and associated risks these technologies bring. I am proud to introduce a plan that will strike a critical balance in the global AI conversation — one that will empower city agencies to deploy technologies that can improve lives while protecting against those that can do harm."
Under the AI Action Plan, the city has initiated a pilot program featuring the first citywide AI chatbot. This chatbot has been designed to:
assist business owners in navigating the intricacies of government procedures
is integrated with the MyCity Business site, a comprehensive resource that streamlines the application, permit, license, and information requirements for opening and running a business in New York City.
Source: pymnts.com
Introducing Our New Segment: I lost My Job To AI
Machines are taking over jobs worldwide. Sometimes in bulk, other times, individual jobs. The human worker who has been given the pink slip suddenly finds that nobody is listening. But we care. If you have lost your job to a machine, and want to tell the world about the impact on your life, and perhaps how you are weathering the blow, send us an email to marketing (at) newagecontentservices.com with the subject line: “I Lost”. No matter where you are located.
We shall revert ASAP. *
(*T&Cs apply)
