Meta's New AI Training Method: Recording Employee Screens and Keystrokes

Meta is preparing to install software on employee and contractor computers that will log keystrokes, mouse movements, clicks, and take screenshots. The initiative, detailed in an internal memo reported by Reuters, aims to gather data on how people use work applications to train AI agents capable of autonomous task completion.

The program, called the Model Capability Initiative, will monitor activity on specific work-related websites and apps like Gmail, GChat, and Meta's internal AI assistant, Metamate. It will not extend to mobile phones. According to Business Insider, the announcement sparked immediate internal dissent, with one employee posting, "This makes me super uncomfortable. How do we opt out?"

Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth reportedly responded that opting out on a company laptop is not an option, a statement met with a flood of negative emoji reactions from staff. This rollout coincides with Meta's continued workforce reductions, with plans to cut 8,000 jobs beginning May 20.

The company states the data collection focuses on replicating complex computer interactions, such as navigating dropdown menus. A Meta spokesperson told CNET the goal is to provide AI models with "real examples" of computer use, with safeguards to exclude sensitive content and assurances the data won't be used in performance reviews.

Privacy advocates express significant concern. Eric Null of the Center for Democracy & Technology described the plan as one of the most "invasive" forms of workplace surveillance, warning it could harm people with disabilities and risk baking existing structural biases into AI systems.

Source: CNET