Emotion Recognition in the Workplace: Does the current legal framework regulating emotion recognition in the workplace, notably the GDPR and AI Act, achieve a balance between risks on fundamental rights and potential beneficial applications?

Tez Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Faculty of Law and Criminology, Master of Intellectual Property and ICT Law, Belçika

Tez Danışmanı: Prof. Peggy Valcke

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2024

Tezin Dili: Türkçe

Özet:

This thesis examines the integration of emotion recognition technologies in workplace settings. Although such integration offers potential benefits for both employers and employees regarding safety and mental health monitoring, there are concerns about the infringement of fundamental rights. The thesis evaluates whether the current legal framework applicable to emotion recognition in the workplace, primarily composed of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) in the European Union (EU), effectively balances the risks and benefits of emotional AI in the workplace.

The thesis explores four sections: (1) an analysis of the functions of emotion recognition and their dual roles as surveillance tools and beneficial applications; (2) an investigation into the fundamental rights at stake in the deployment of emotion recognition in the workplace (3) an examination of the regulatory mechanisms governing emotion recognition under the GDPR and the AI Act.

Ultimately, this thesis aims to provide insights into the efficacy of current regulatory frameworks in managing the complexities of emotion recognition deployment in workplaces while safeguarding fundamental rights.