Algorithmic workplace surveillance

Aida Ponce Del Castillo

Workplace surveillance is an “old” issue but the Covid crisis has given it renewed importance and relevance. Video surveillance, computers and other digital technologies are now routinely used in many places to monitor what workers are doing and to control their behaviour. With artificial intelligence, biometrics and facial recognition, surveillance could soon be expanded to measure and analyse emotions and health.

In this talk Aida Ponce Del Castillo will focus on worker surveillance empowered by data driven technologies, worker perception across Europe and associated risks. She will discuss the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as a tool to address surveillance and the shortcomings of this European Regulation as far as the employment context is concerned. Finally, she will describe the European regulatory initiatives on artificial intelligence and data and how they can be used (or not) to better protect workers.

About the speaker

Aida Ponce Del Castillo holds a PhD in Law (‘Doctor Europaeus’) and a Master's degree in Bioethics. Aida is a senior researcher at the Brussels based Foresight Unit of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI).

Her research focuses on the legal, social and regulatory issues of emerging technologies. Additionally, she is in charge of conducting foresight projects at ETUI. She is a member of the Working Party on Bio-, Nano- and Converging Technologies (BNCT) at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

About Digit Debates

This Spring webinar series from the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre presents cutting-edge research from leading thinkers about how digital technologies are changing work.

Our aim is to spark debate, challenge assumptions and become an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand how new technologies will impact employers, employees, job seekers and governments.

Join us on Wednesdays, 1-2pm (GMT)online, from 3rd February – 17th March 2021.

Click here for more information on other events in the series.

About Digit

Digit, the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre aims to advance our understanding of how digital technologies are reshaping work, impacting on employers, employees, job seekers and governments. It is co-led by the University of Sussex Business School and Leeds University Business School with partners from Aberdeen, Cambridge, Manchester and Monash Universities. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).