Meta will closely watch employee keystrokes for AI training amid layoff speculations: All details
Follow UsMeta may track employee activity like typing and clicks to train its AI systems.
The move has raised privacy concerns, even though the company says it won’t use the data to judge performance.
Meta is pushing more AI use and planning layoffs as it shifts toward automation.
Meta is one of the firms which are actively expanding their presence in the AI space. Whether it be by building new data centres, training talent, or improving its existing tools. According to a recent report, the company is now turning inward as it looks to train future AI systems using internal data. The report claims Meta has informed its US-based employees that their everyday computer activity may soon be monitored. Company executives say the goal is to train upcoming AI tools and help them understand how people actually work on screen, allowing systems to better reflect real-world workflows and improve productivity insights. This approach raises concerns about employee privacy and oversight.
SurveyReuters recently reported that in internal communications Meta disclosed to its employees that they plan to roll out a tracking system called the Model Capability Initiative. This software will monitor mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes across work-related apps and websites. Moreover, it would also take occasional screenshots of the screen. The company says this data will help it to improve its AI models, especially in areas where machines struggle to copy human behaviour, such as navigating menus or using shortcuts.
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Meta has also clarified that the collected data will be used only for training AI systems and not for evaluating employee performance. Still, the idea of continuous monitoring has raised concerns about workplace surveillance, particularly as such practices are more commonly linked with gig workers than office staff.
The leadership at Meta has also outlined a vision where AI handles most of the work of its human counterpart, while the humans just guide and refine the outcomes from AI. The company is also encouraging staff to rely more on AI tools, even if it affects short-term productivity.
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At the same time, Meta is reportedly planning major layoffs that could affect thousands of employees. The job cuts are likely to start in May, with more cuts possibly happening later. This is part of the company’s plan to become smaller and more efficient, with fewer traditional jobs and more work done using AI.
Aside from that, Meta is also testing advanced AI systems, which include an AI version of its CEO to make its employees feel more connected to the CEO and new AI models to improve what it can do.
