Meta reduces data collection scope of AI training tracking tool MCI after employee boycott According to Beating monitoring, Meta has started to reduce the use of employee computer tracking tools for AI training. A Meta internal memo obtained by The Information shows that in the face of employee backlash, the company has decided to update the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), narrow the scope of behavioral data collection, and strengthen privacy protection. MCI was launched in April this year, mainly recording employees' mouse movements, clicks, navigation, and screen images on work computers, in order to train AI to use computers like humans. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has stated that AI models need to learn by "watching smart people do things," and that the quality of data produced by company employees is significantly higher than that of traditional outsourced annotation teams. But the monitoring software has been strongly resisted internally due to causing device lag and shortened battery life. Some employees resist tracking by ignoring permission pop ups or manually disabling software in settings. Last month, more employees distributed flyers in the office and initiated a petition, which received signatures from over 1500 employees protesting against disrespect for their dignity. According to the memo, Meta has made a series of concessions: employees can pause the tracker for 30 minutes at any time to handle personal affairs; Change data collection from recording specific input words to only recording activity summaries; Widen the application channel for exemption from tracking, covering sensitive content processors, remote employees with limited bandwidth, and field workers who have difficulty charging. In addition, Meta stated that currently only a "very small number of engineers" have access to the raw data. [Original link]