Data on our minds: affective computing at work

Digital profiling using algorithms and datasets is becoming more and more pervasive in every aspect of life. Alongside our experiences as consumers, citizens and patients, the accumulation of data and technological monitoring is increasingly focusing on people’s behaviour and activities in the workplace. This is called 'affective computing'. The introduction of Algorithmic Affect Management (AAM) technologies - designed to take these inferences about our emotions and behaviours at work and connect them to algorithmic management systems - is opening a new frontier in surveillance and privacy concerns. This has significant regulatory implications across domains, from definitions to the need for specific, updated protection in both hard and soft law. Our latest report examines how these technologies - while offering potential productivity gains and occupational health and safety benefits - also introduce significant challenges to job quality and wellbeing. Invasive surveillance practices often undermine the promised benefits, highlighting the need for conscious management to ensure ethical and responsible implementation.