Meta expands employee data tracking for AI training

Meta Platforms is rolling out a new internal tracking system designed to capture employee activity on work devices as part of its broader push to develop advanced artificial intelligence tools. The initiative, known as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), will monitor mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes, according to internal memos shared with staff.

The tool will operate across work-related applications and websites, occasionally taking screenshots of employees’ screens to better understand how people interact with computers. The company says the data will be used to improve AI models, particularly in tasks where machines struggle to replicate human behaviour, such as navigating menus or using keyboard shortcuts.

Meta’s Chief Technology Officer Andrew Wordsworth described the effort as part of a larger transformation strategy aimed at building AI agents capable of performing everyday work tasks autonomously. The initiative falls under the company’s “Agent Transformation Accelerator” program, which seeks to integrate AI deeply into workflows.

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A company spokesperson emphasized that the collected data would be used solely for training AI models and not for employee performance evaluations. Meta also stated that safeguards are in place to protect sensitive information, although details about these protections were not fully disclosed.

The move reflects a wider trend across the tech industry, where companies are increasingly adopting AI-driven automation to boost efficiency. However, the initiative has raised concerns among experts about workplace surveillance and employee privacy.

Legal scholars warn that such monitoring could shift the balance of power in workplaces, especially in regions like the United States where federal limits on employee surveillance are minimal. In contrast, stricter data protection laws in Europe could restrict similar practices.

As Meta accelerates its AI ambitions, the initiative highlights both the opportunities and ethical challenges tied to integrating artificial intelligence into everyday work environments.