New technology changing the game for calling in sick

Have you ever faked a sickie? It looks like you might want to start coming up with a new excuse because technology is catching up with you!?

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Researchers at the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) have found a way to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect whether someone is genuinely ill or just faking it. By analysing the vocal rhythms of over 600 people, including 111 individuals with cold symptoms, researchers at the SVNIT were able to identify the specific frequencies present in people with a genuine sore throat.??

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The researchers broke down each person’s speech into its component wavelengths to identify the dominant frequency and harmonics, which are waves produced by vibrations in fraction of their length. This information was then put into machine-learning algorithms to detect and study the differences in amplification, ultimately allowing the technology to diagnose a cold in 70% of cases.??

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The key to the research was understanding how a “cold voice” differs from a healthy one. Just like musical instruments doesn’t produce single frequencies of sound. By developing an algorithm that can recognise these specifics frequencies, researchers have paved the way for AI to accurately distinguish between a genuine illness and a fake one.??

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So, what does this mean for you??

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The introduction of AI technology to detect "sick" employees can be a valuable tool in supporting this shift. AI systems can analyse various factors such as voice patterns, facial expressions and other physiological signals to identify signs of illness in employees. This technology can help employers and managers proactively identify individuals who may be unwell, allowing them to take appropriate measures to protect the health of both the individual and the wider workforce.?

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By encouraging employees to stay at home when they are sick, companies are promoting a healthier work culture. This approach not only benefits the individual employees by allowing them to rest and recover, but it also helps prevent the spread of illnesses within the workplace. By reducing the number of sick employees coming into work, companies can minimise the risk of contagion and maintain a more productive workforce in the long run.?

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Overall, the encouragement to stay at home when sick and the introduction of AI technology to detect illness in the workplace are positive steps toward creating a healthier and more supportive work culture in Australia. As technology continues to advance, we can expect more and more corporations and workplaces to adopt this algorithm to prevent employees from taking unnecessary sick days. ?

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So, if you're thinking of calling in sick when you're not, you might want to think again – because the next time you do, your boss might just have an AI program to catch you out! ?

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Let us know in the comments if you think this is a positive step forward, or a violation of trust.?