Emotion AI Surveillance Creeps Into White-Collar Workplaces

Emotion AI, software that claims to analyze human emotions through facial expressions, voice tone, and text, is increasingly being deployed in workplaces, from call centers and trucking to white-collar offices. Companies like MorphCast, Imentiv, and Aware offer tools that monitor sentiment, attention, and personality, often without explicit consent. The technology is used by McDonald's, MetLife, Burger King, and others to assess worker performance and productivity. Critics, including psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett and Cornell professor Karen Levy, argue the science is flawed: emotions are highly variable and context-dependent, and AI often misreads expressions, reinforcing biases. A 2025 ACLU lawsuit against HireVue highlights discrimination risks. The EU has banned workplace emotion AI except for medical or safety reasons, but the global market is projected to triple to $9 billion by 2030. The pandemic and remote work have accelerated adoption, while U.S. federal law grants employers broad surveillance permissions. The article warns of a future where workers must perform constant cheerfulness for algorithms, eroding dignity and autonomy.