Meta is installing tracking software on the computers of some U.S.-based employees to collect mouse movements, clicks, keystrokes and occasional screen snapshots to train its artificial intelligence systems.
According to internal memos seen by Reuters, the tool is called the Model Capability Initiative (MCI). It will run on work-related apps and websites to gather examples of how staff use computers during their normal duties.
Meta said the aim is to improve its systems in tasks where AI still struggles, including using keyboard shortcuts, selecting options from drop-down menus and navigating software interfaces.
A company spokesperson said: “If we’re building agents to help people complete everyday tasks using computers, our models need real examples of how people actually use them, things like mouse movements, clicking buttons, and navigating dropdown menus.”
The spokesperson added: “There are safeguards in place to protect sensitive content, and the data is not used for any other purpose.”
Meta also said information collected through the tracking software would not be used for performance reviews or staff assessments.
This development is in line with a goal to place AI at the centre of daily work. Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth told employees in a separate memo that the company’s long-term goal is to build systems that can carry out most tasks while workers guide and review the results.
He said: “The vision we are building towards is one where our agents primarily do the work and our role is to direct, review and help them improve.”
Meta has also encouraged staff to use AI tools for coding and other work, even where it may slow productivity in the short term.
The company has reportedly introduced a job label known as “AI builder” and created a new Applied AI engineering team to strengthen coding tools and develop workplace agents.
The latest changes come as Meta Platforms prepares to cut 10% of its global workforce from May 20, with more reductions expected later this year, according to the Reuters report.
Labour and privacy experts have raised concerns over the practice.
Ifeoma Ajunwa, a law professor and scholar of workplace surveillance said monitoring tools have usually been used to detect misconduct, but logging keystrokes pushes surveillance further by exposing office workers to close real-time monitoring once more common among delivery and gig workers.
She said: “On the U.S. side, federally, there is no limit on worker surveillance.”
Valerio De Stefano said similar monitoring would likely face legal limitations in Europe under privacy and labour laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation.
He also warned that awareness of constant monitoring can shift workplace power further towards employers.
