Japanese Supermarkets Begin Optimizing Employees’ Smiles
Aeon, a leading Japanese supermarket chain, has introduced a new AI system designed to evaluate and “standardize” employee smiles.
On July 1, the company announced the implementation of a “smile-rating AI system” called “Mr Smile” in 240 stores across Japan, making Aeon the first company to utilize this technology.
AI Assessment by InstaVR
Developed by Japanese company InstaVR, Mr Smile is said to accurately assess employees’ demeanor, rating their overall attitude based on over 450 factors, including greetings, facial expressions, and voice volume and tone.
Aeon aims to “standardize staff members’ smiles and maximize customer satisfaction.”
Mr Smile includes game-like features to motivate staff to improve their scores and their overall “service attitude.”
Aeon conducted a successful trial of the AI software in eight stores, involving about 3,400 employees, and reported a 1.6-fold improvement in “service attitude” over three months before implementing the system in all its stores.
Such constant monitoring of every action, including smiles, would inevitably lead to some form of attitude adjustment, particularly in a culture known for “saving face.” This technology’s implementation feels reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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