Canon Uses AI Cameras That Only Let Smiling Workers Inside Offices (petapixel.com) 122
This may sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but Canon has rolled out new AI cameras that use "smile recognition" technology to ensure that only happy employees are allowed into its offices. From a report: Back in 2020, the China-based Canon subsidiary Canon Information Technology introduced an "intelligent IT solution" for corporate offices that includes 5 different functional modules, one of which is "smiley face access control. In addition, based on the corporate culture of 'moving and always being,' Canon has always advocated the concepts of 'laughing' and 'big health,' and hopes to bring happiness and health to everyone in the post-epidemic era," Canon wrote in a press release. "Therefore, in the [...] intelligent IT solution, a new experience of smile recognition is specially incorporated. It is hoped that smiles can let everyone relax and get healthy, so as to create a more pleasant working atmosphere and improve efficiency."
Something straight out of a sci-fi movie (Score:2)
or a Batman comic.
Re: Something straight out of a sci-fi movie (Score:4, Funny)
The joker is on you
Re: (Score:2)
I was thinking more like here's Johnny! [youtube.com]
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
We Happy Few [steampowered.com] knew what was happening.
Re: Let's put a smile on that face! (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3)
Something straight out of Doctor Who [wikipedia.org]. Except that sentient robots decided that unhappiness was a disease and started killing anyone that wasn't smiling.
Some confused manager mistook (Score:5, Insightful)
...a Dilbert book as a management guide. I vaguely remember a strip where Dilbert's cubicle was wired to grow or shrink based on how much he kissed up to his boss.
Re: (Score:2)
I can just imagine a younger Mark Zuckerberg failing that captcha test multiple times and being forced to do all his work from outside the office next to the dumpster area.
Re: (Score:1)
But he'd probably prefer it that way. Win-win.
Re:Some confused manager mistook (Score:5, Insightful)
...a Dilbert book as a management guide. I vaguely remember a strip where Dilbert's cubicle was wired to grow or shrink based on how much he kissed up to his boss.
Is this it? - https://dilbert.com/strip/1995... [dilbert.com]
Re: (Score:2)
If anybody can point me to any company using it to admit only people who are smiling, or any concrete statement that the technology has this functionality, I will gladly admit I'm wrong.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: Some confused manager mistook (Score:2)
Back in 2020, the China-based Canon subsidiary Canon Information Technology introduced an "intelligent IT solution" for corporate offices that includes 5 different functional modules, one of which is "smiley face access control.
It's one of FIVE operating modes, and it seems like it was added mainly to pad the press release and generate some 'heat' for what would otherwise be just another boring press release about a security system that employs facial recognition.
smile or forced smile (Score:2)
Re:smile or forced smile (Score:4, Insightful)
Indeed! AI that accepts this as a "happy employee" [pinterest.com] lacks common sense.
Re: smile or forced smile (Score:3)
It is based on al so clearly no
lot's of labor laws issues with this + ADA issues! (Score:2)
lot's of labor laws issues with this + ADA issues!
Re: (Score:2)
I doubt that's going to be an issue in the China facility ....
Re: (Score:2)
Sold? Sure. Made? Not so much.
Re: (Score:3)
lot's of labor laws issues with this + ADA issues!
Something tells me China doesn't care about American laws.
Re: (Score:2)
Nope, from TFA:
"(...) China-based Canon subsidiary Canon Information Technology (...)"
Re: (Score:2)
Nope, from TFA: "(...) China-based Canon subsidiary Canon Information Technology (...)"
I mean, that was even in TFS...
Re: (Score:2)
Eh, if it's like if you're having an off day, they give you a day off, no consequences, it would be actually a very humane feature.
Practically satire (Score:2)
Exec 2 "I heard they like... facial expressions?"
Exec 1 "Like, what? What's an expression?"
Exec 2 "Like... there's thing called a- smile? I don't know if that's how you pronounce it. You like, move the corners of your mouth upwards."
Exec 1 "Hmm... and people like this sort of thing, it will make them work more?"
Exec 2 "So I've heard."
Exec 1 " Then we'll force all employees to ear one of thes
Shiny Happy People (Score:2)
Of course, why wouldn't they require their employees to be shiny, happy people [wikipedia.org] ...?
Re: (Score:2)
I was reminded of Ren and Stimpy:
https://renandstimpy.fandom.com/wiki/Happy_Happy,_Joy_Joy!
"I don't think you're happy enough,
That's right! I'll teach you to be happy!"
when only happiness is allowed, it is meaningless (Score:1)
It just becomes a performance show.
Cannon is basically telling their employees that the range of human experience is limited to only happiness and that's actually the opposite of empathetic, understanding and inclusive. It's refusing to understand life is more complex than that.
People shouldn't bring all their problems to work but the idea of "forced happiness" seems grotesque. Employees should make an effort to be pleasant but it should be a natural and voluntary thing. To me this is like if someone says "
Re: when only happiness is allowed, it is meaningl (Score:2)
Jesus, back up - it's one of five modes offered, it's likely just a throw-away add-on included to give their press release some attention.
Back in 2020, the China-based Canon subsidiary Canon Information Technology introduced an "intelligent IT solution" for corporate offices that includes 5 different functional modules, one of which is "smiley face access control.
This was in a Doctor Who episode (Score:5, Insightful)
It ended up badly.
Re: (Score:1)
Let me guess: "EXTERMINATE Gloomy Humans!"
Re:This was in a Doctor Who episode (Score:4, Informative)
This predates Moffat.
The episode in question is The Happiness Patrol [wikipedia.org], from Doctor Who's 25th season, produced by John Nathan-Turner, and starring Sylvester McCoy.
You can pretty much guess the broad outline of the plot from the title. It's... not very good. But then nothing from the last few seasons of Dr. Who is much good (the 24th season is especially poorly regarded), as it was suffering from a hostile BBC, budget cuts, poor/inconsistent writing, and a producer who was completely wrong for the material.
The following season (26) would prove to be the last of Doctor Who's original run. It would be another sixteen years before the show was regenerated :-).
"You look unhappy, Silas P."
Re:This was in a Doctor Who episode (Score:4, Informative)
Actually, I think he was referring to the Smile [wikipedia.org] episode.
Re: (Score:2)
Counterpoint: The Happiness Patrol's psychedelic badness clearly lodged itself firmly in my brain 30 years ago, despite the fact that I only watched it once. Comparatively, Smile was so unremarkable that I recalled it only after being reminded of it.
Wonderful idea (Score:2)
So, Pennywise is always welcome?
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah. And this guy [blogspot.com] as well.
Not in the US, it violates the ADA. (Score:2)
Reduced affect display [wikipedia.org] is a real condition linked to neurological conditions and treatments.
Reduced affect can be symptomatic of autism, schizophrenia, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, depersonalization disorder, schizoid personality disorder or brain damage.[5] It may also be a side effect of certain medications (e.g., antipsychotics and antidepressants).
Keep that dystopian shit in China unless you want to be sued.
Re: (Score:2)
Since TFA says this is for Chinese factories... I don't think American law is going to be their first concern.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
The lyrics for the song were written as a satirical translation of the Chinese government's propaganda used after the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.
Re: (Score:2)
Indeed. Holding a false smile actually hurts :(
Re: Not in the US, it violates the ADA. (Score:2)
The manufacturer won't be sued, the employer that chooses it from among the five different operating modes offered might get sued.
Of course, the path to a lawsuit is a bit convoluted: first an employer needs to hire an employee with the disorder, then buy, install, and configure this facial recognition system to control access to a worksite, then the employee with the disorder needs to be prevented from working with no recourse, like, say, a call to their supervisor to open the door.
Will it allow... (Score:2)
The beatings will continue until morale improves (Score:2)
Opposite effect (Score:2)
Hey, I know what will make workerslaves less bitter! A song-and-dance bordering on humiliation. Forced and mandatory. This will definitely generate goodwill and positive reception.
How do we sell crap face detection? (Score:2)
Honest Programmer: "Hey, boss, I got a Bug!"
Sly Boss: "No such thing. All bugs are features."
Honest Programmer: "But our new facial recognition software only works if they have the exact same expression on their face. We got to recall everything."
Sly Boss: "FEATURE. It's our new 'Morale Booster option'. Our software only lets people in if they smile."
Happiness is Mandatory, Citizen (Score:4, Funny)
Please report to the Housing, Production, Development, and Mind-Control department for adjustment.
Have a nice daycycle.
Re: (Score:2)
Paranoia [wikipedia.org] was an awesome RPG.
I was going to post what you posted. But you beat me to it.
Well... (Score:2)
Just hide the pain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:2)
Reminds me when we went to a local "X-Mart" to get a family photo when we had young kids. Things got out of hand, the kids were super fussy and loud, it was hot and stuffy, and then my wife got mad at me for not smiling.
My wife and the photographer spent about 5 minutes having me practice various fake smiles until we finally got one that was "good enough". It only worked because I was imagining murdering everyone in the room and feeding them to hungry lions. To this day she still doesn't know why I refer to
Smile mask syndrome (Score:3)
Smile mask syndrome [wikipedia.org]
Fortunately for workplace shooters, it's a Canon (Score:4, Funny)
The drivers for this device will probably not work.
Re: Fortunately for workplace shooters, it's a Can (Score:2)
The beatings will continue until morale improves! (Score:4, Insightful)
Company policy REQUIRES you to be HAPPY!
What deranged HR jackass thought of this?
Fuck you, Canon. You can't FORCE people to be happy. Your policy will only enrage people and make them MORE UNHAPPY.
Seriously, this is one of the most dystopian things I've ever heard.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Seriously, this is one of the most dystopian things I've ever heard.
It is seriously dystopian indeed. There is another article on the front page right now where you can be monitored by someone from India while you work... I find it hard to say that being forced to smile when going in to work is quite as dystopian as being under constant surveillance and constantly being queried about what you are doing. It really shouldn't be a competition. Both ideas fill me with extreme revulsion. I am glad that I am nearer to the end of my life because shit is about to get VERY VERY VERY
Re: (Score:2)
Easy fix (Score:1)
Just download, print out, and tape a photo that passes the software onto the security camera. Now you can enter with whatever expression you want to use.
Re: Easy fix (Score:2)
Or your boss can choose one of the other four operating modes that don't 'require' smiling to grant entrance.
China says smile (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
ADA suit in 3..2..1.. (Score:2)
On behalf of all the sufferers of RBF [wikipedia.org].
This would be horrible (Score:2)
My final place of work, I'd stand outside having a smoke, watching people. you could literally tell how bad it was when people would walk in from parking, and as they'd approach the turnstile to enter, their shoulders would droop, and you could almost see their souls leaving their bodies when they were entering the building.
Comment removed (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Dude, nobody cares about reality. They only care about appearances. You need to report to the re-education camp.
Shiny happy people ... (Score:2)
Canon has rolled out new AI cameras that use "smile recognition" technology to ensure that only happy employees are allowed into its offices.
I guess they've never seen Jack Nicholson in The Shining [wikipedia.org] ...
Re: (Score:2)
It will find application in most of the populated world. Where workspace contentment has nothing to do with how happy YOU are at your job....
If you mean me specifically, I was pretty happy at my job. I got laid off in 2017 (at 54) but was/am debt-free and financially-independent so am now "retired". Still pretty happy though. :-)
I was just noting that smiling doesn't necessarily mean one is happy -- which is what the tech and article is apparently trying to equate.
Happiness is mandatory (Score:2)
https://twitter.com/plgcoordco... [twitter.com]
Re: (Score:2)
Pan-Am Smile (Score:3)
Pan-Am Smile
Disney Smile
A smile so perfunctory one wonders.. "Is that really a person or.. an animatro-HOLY crap she's real."
Royal smile
Stepford... smile?
Don't force people to smile. Something intuitive tells me this is one sure-fire way to get a psycho. In short order -- months. Maybe less.
Imagine what decades of it does.
And to have it detected by machine, too. Well, that's Canon off my list. As it ever was, not since they burned me when they dropped the FD mount back in the late Stone Age. I don't forget.
Apparently... (Score:2)
Canon have clueless management too.
This exacerbates Smiling Depression (Score:2)
https://www.psychologytoday.co... [psychologytoday.com]
Just sit back and let the hooks do the work (Score:2)
oakeley dokeley employerino!
Watch out for the smiley ones (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Explosions tend to be counterproductive when you are trying to start a fire. I don't know about you, but my tinderboxes don't explode as a general rule. My (gun-)powder kegs, on the other hand...
Re: (Score:2)
Nine times out of ten they are a Tinder box waiting to explode.
In relation to smiling photos and technology, this phrase doesn't mean the same thing as it used to.
Smile, you're on Canon cameras. (Score:2)
See, I'm smiling. :)
Lawsuit waiting to happen (Score:2)
"Your honor, my client suffers from facial paralysis and was denied entry to his workplace because of it, which resulted in him being disciplined for being late. This is discrimination under disability protection laws."
Open and shut.
Re: Lawsuit waiting to happen (Score:2)
Your client could have called his supervisor, security, or literally anyone inside the facility to lt them in.
Case dismissed.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Doesn't work that way, accommodations to the disabled are to allow the individual proper access unless it would carry an undue cost or hardship. I could read out all letters sent to my work to a blind guy, but that pulls me away from my work, and if he needs to double-check I get pulled away again and again when we should've accommodated his disability with an electronic, audio, or braille version.
Looks like someone's got a case of the Mondays! :( (Score:2)
You can have it (Score:2)
WTF? (Score:2)
What the fuck is this George Orwell shit?
So the questions are: (Score:2)
Can you fake it?
Do you have to be happy when you find out the company did something that personally affects you in a negative way?
Liars (Score:4, Interesting)
1: Makes you into a well trained liar.
2: Murders your happiness.
Seriously, when you have to project a false emotion constantly and burry any others under it, you become adept at telling baldfaced lies with convincing aplomb. That, and the pall of consequences like customer complaints to management because you were ‘rude’(‘cause its rude to not smile!) that hang over you for failing to do so grates at you until you can barely feel actual happiness. I’m convinced you can actually manufacture a psychopath with prolonged treatment of someone to this sort of environment. Glad I got out.
Obfuscates real problems (Score:4, Interesting)
Smiles used to be a way to detect emotional state, but if you make smiles mandatory, people will wear fake smiles. Then middle-managers who depend on smiles to know whether their employees are healthy will get false-positive readings. "I don't understand why people are acting like they're upset, our smile-recognition metrics are still going up!" And since they trust the mechanisms more than they trust the employees, they'll blame the employees for sabotage instead of fixing the mechanisms.
There is no war in Ba Sing Se (Score:2)
:)
What a horrible idea (Score:2)
Second, being forced to put on false smiles is mentally oppressive and I'd bet very bad for your psychological health.
I'm sure you've all heard about the dangers of suppressing your emotions... Well here's a corporate policy to do exactly that!
Somehow we all knew that something like this could only be born in China or North Korea, except NK probably can't either afford or obtain the te
Re: (Score:2)
I always felt sorry for Disney employees, who are required to smile at work. If you've ever been to one of their theme parks, you can't help but notice from time to time a fake smile plastered on the face of a human being who's dying inside.
Sign of the times (Score:2)
Sure beats the old system. "The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves."
Re: (Score:1)
I'd rather wear a mask than be forced to smile.
Re:Would like to see more of that in California (Score:5, Funny)
I'd rather wear a mask than be forced to smile.
Now, now. This won't hurt a bit [geocities.ws].
Re: (Score:2)
Forcing smiles makes nobody happier. Fake smiles to please anything else, whether it be a person or a camera powered by shit recognition software only adds to the misery.
Re:Fucking hell! (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Fucking hell! (Score:5, Insightful)
Complete flamebait for making up some stupid conspiracy theory pretending that this has something to do with 'wokeness'. Being 'woke' means not being racist, do you have a problem with people not being racist?
This is happening in China - a dictatorship with a severe lack of human rights, the kind of people that fight against racism are the same kind of people that fight for human rights and yet you somehow managed to come up with the most twisted idea that the people that want to deal with racism for some reason would support this smile-tech, similar to the AI facial recognition tech that has been shown to be inherently racist many times.
Re: Fucking hell! (Score:2)
It's one of five operating modes offered, it's up to the buyers of the system to choose the operating mode from the five offered.
Re: (Score:2)
Uh, let me check the manual, ok the options are:
1. Smile, PROPERLY, not like that.
2. Pay by WeChat, or CommieCoins
3. Show Photo ID, 2 proof of address and a statement signed by a person of authority. (note verification takes up to 2 weeks.)
4. Genital recognition, present them now.
5. [press any key to exit]
Re: (Score:2)
Any evidence of this very vague woke conspiracy or is it just something you read on a far-right rumour mill? Who exactly (name them) is perpetuating this conspiracy? and how does it make them money or help them change laws to make money? Because if the conspiracy doesn't involve money then it's basically going to be wrong.