‘Chilling’ surveillance | Starbucks, Walmart, & AstraZeneca all using AI to monitor employee messaging

Major U.S. employers including Starbucks, Walmart, and AstraZeneca are among those using AI to monitor and analyze messages sent between employees.

According to a report from CNBC, the companies are all using an AI data platform to gather intelligence from workplace conversations.

Aware, the start-up behind the platform, collects unstructured data from collaboration platforms such as Zoom, Slack, and Qualtrics. Other notable customers include Delta Air Lines, T-Mobile, AstraZeneca and Nestle.

This type of software has a variety of applications in the workplace including real-time monitoring of employee sentiment; spotting cases of harassment, noncompliance, and other inappropriate and illegal actions; and gauging employee responses to new HR policies.