Edition 139 · work · Agbeyangi; Abayomi O; Lukose; Jose M
AI Surveillance Creeps into African Workplaces
Digitalisation and AI-driven feedback systems are transforming African work, fostering silent quitting.
FO Take · Score 26
African workplaces, eager for efficiency, are sleepwalking into AI surveillance. These systems promise data-driven insights but deliver opaque metrics and eroded trust. AI cannot measure genuine contribution, only compliance. The rise of "silent quitting" is a direct consequence of this dehumanising trend. Are we optimising productivity or merely perfecting control?
The strongest counter
AI offers unprecedented opportunities for growth and fair performance assessment in developing economies. Properly implemented, these tools can boost transparency, identify skill gaps, and empower employees, leading to more equitable and productive work environments.
