Elon Musk's AI startup Xai reportedly implemented a controversial policy requiring all employees to install “spyware software” on laptops issued by the company. The company's move aimed at enhancing security has launched discussions about employee privacy. As reported by Business Insider, Xai staff involved in training Grok are asked to install a monitoring tool called Hubstaff. This will keep track of websites visited, used apps, mouse movements, and more.
Elon Musk AI startup Xai asks employees to install “spy software” on their laptops
According to a report by Business Insider, the Elon Musk AI startup has asked employees to train GROK to download and install a workforce management system called Hubstaff. This monitoring toll is designed to track employee activity, including keystrokes, screen activity, and application usage.The company has yet to clarify the exact reason behind this new policy, but it is speculated that it is a response to the highly competitive and sensitive nature of AI development, where intellectual property and data security are paramount. Initially, the directive was applied to all employees, with the July 11 deadline for compliance, whether they had a laptop issued by the company. The company then asked employees whether to use personal devices to purchase new devices using a monthly technical scholarship of $50, or to create different profiles to separate personal browsing. The company's HR team said the new software will help the company streamline its work process and provide better insight into daily tutoring activities. “This new tool will help streamline work processes, provide clearer insights into daily tutoring activities, and ensure resources are tailored to human data priorities,” the company's HR team said in a massive email to employees.However, employees feel that the new monitoring tool is “productively misled surveillance.”The report adds that apart from Hubstaff, Xai also uses HR managers to rip and record workers' time. In addition to this, the company's internal system Starfleet tracks the time tutors spend on each task.
Elon Musk's Xai apologises for what happened on July 8th
Meanwhile, it was a difficult time for Xai. The company owned by Elon Musk has apologised for “for the horrifying behavior that many people have experienced” starting from July 8th. Through X (formerly Twitter), the AI company said, “The update was to provide users with a useful and true response,” but “spewed responses that contained radical views.”Xai explained what went wrong. The incident, as revealed by XAI investigation, was attributed to a July code update that reflects extremist views from the X Post for 16 hours despite non-release testing.
