‘Robot Bosses’ Spur Lawmaker Push to Police AI Job Surveillance

The rise of artificial intelligence in tracking and evaluating workers for employment decisions is prompting some lawmakers to act to curb its power in the workplace.

Employers like Amazon.com Inc. are relying on automated AI tools to measure workers’ productivity and, in some instances, fire them if they don’t meet performance thresholds established by the software. “Robot bosses,” as some in Washington call them, have also been used in the hiring process, as well as for surveilling workers’ web browsing, steps, laptop cameras, and even their moods over email.

The widespread use of these tools—78% of employers in a 2021 ...