CosmicTaco

Japan Supermarket Uses AI to Measure Staff Smiles, Boost Service Quality

CosmicTaco · 2024-07-22T19:23:07.447193+05:30

- AEON, a Japanese supermarket chain, has implemented an AI system called 'Mr Smile' to assess and standardize employees' smiles and service attitudes across its 240 stores. - Developed by InstaVR, the AI evaluates over 450 elements, including facial expressions and voice tones, and incorporates game-like features to encourage staff improvement. - A trial involving 3,400 staff members showed a 1.6 times improvement in service attitude over three months, according to AEON. - The initiative has sparked concerns about workplace harassment, with critics arguing that enforced smiles could exacerbate customer harassment issues. - Comparisons have been drawn to McDonald's 'Smile zero yen' policy, highlighting ongoing debates about the impact of such measures on employee well-being. Source: South China Morning Post

AEON, a Japanese supermarket chain, has implemented an AI system called 'Mr Smile' to assess and standardize employees' smiles and service attitudes across its 240 stores.
Developed by InstaVR, the AI evaluates over 450 elements, including facial expressions and voice tones, and incorporates game-like features to encourage staff improvement.
A trial involving 3,400 staff members showed a 1.6 times improvement in service attitude over three months, according to AEON.
The initiative has sparked concerns about workplace harassment, with critics arguing that enforced smiles could exacerbate customer harassment issues.
Comparisons have been drawn to McDonald's 'Smile zero yen' policy, highlighting ongoing debates about the impact of such measures on employee well-being.

Source: South China Morning Post