Microsoft Plans Scoring Tool for Meetings, Faces Criticisms

Tech researchers found Microsoft’s application for a patent for a tool that can score meetings considering various factors, said Geek Wire. The program, a Productivity Score technology, is set to project “overall quality scores” for meetings.

The scoring tool seeks to track the activities of employees in a bid to maximize organizational productivity. It will be looking at individual employees’ usage of digital tools such as email and chat. The company received criticism for this plan due to the potential privacy issues.

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Productivity Score was rolled out back in October and was effective in Microsoft 365, which turned the office suite into a “full-fledged workplace surveillance tool,” as per Independent Cracked Labs digital research institute’s Wolfie Christl.

Microsoft Plans Scoring Tool for Meetings

This can be a cause for concern because it enables monitoring on the individual level. It can also allow employers or managers to monitor employees and see “the number of days an employee has been sending emails, using the chat, using “mentions” in emails.”

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However, the tool seems to be much more than originally thought. According to a patent application, this new tool will be taking into account various elements including body language, facial expressions, time of day, room temperature, and the number of participants.

The system will be using cameras, sensors, and programs to gather data and analyze it. It will determine things such as “how much a participant contributes to a meeting vs performing other tasks (e.g., texting, checking email, browsing the internet).”

Referred to as a “meeting insight computing system,” the scoring program will predict the potential for high-quality meetings, as well as challenges. It will also recommend alternatives based on data.

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Engadget noted that this patent is in line with the company’s increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve work and productivity.

The patent application filed on November 12 explained, “Because conventional computerized scheduling systems lack real-world context, users may not be aware that they are attempting to schedule non-optimal meetings, which may result in meetings that are unproductive at best.”

It also noted that “many organizations are plagued by overly long, poorly attended, and recurring meetings that could be modified and/or avoided if more information regarding meeting quality was available.”

The new scoring tool hopes to provide data and analytics to avoid such occurrences. It will use in-person, virtual, and hybrid meetings to gather data.

Geek Wire noted that the patens did not mention privacy protection. When asked for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson declined.

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