Chinese firm slammed for using ex-employee’s data to create ‘AI human’ to continue working

A Chinese company has sparked controversy after it reportedly used a former employee’s data to create an artificial intelligence (AI) human to continue working following his resignation.A game company in Shandong province in northern China has attracted attention after turning a former employee into an AI-powered “digital worker” which continued performing tasks after their resignation.The employee, whose personal details remain unclear, previously worked as an human resources (HR) specialist.The avatar is responsible for handling basic tasks such as answering inquiries, scheduling appointments and creating PowerPoint presentations and spreadsheets.An artificial intelligence powered humanoid robot with a glass visor types on a futuristic touch keyboard. Photo: Getty ImagesAccording to a video shared online by a company staff member identified as Xiaoyu, the digital employee introduces itself in a chat window.“Hello, I am the digital avatar of a former employee. You can ask me questions at any time. I will respond based on the documents I handled during my employment.”It has been reported that both the avatar and its profile are based on the former employee and the AI “employee” was trained using materials uploaded by the employee himself.The experiment was conducted with his consent.Actual human employees hard at work in a busy office in China. Photo: ShutterstockXiaoyu, who also works in HR, explained that the company has over 100 employees and joked: “Yesterday we were joking around together and today he becomes an AI.”“This is a bold attempt by the company to explore whether simple, routine tasks can be handled by AI. It is currently only being tested internally and has not been rolled out publicly yet, as the digital avatar is still a bit clumsy,” Xiaoyu told Henan Daily Newspaper Group.He added that the company plans to develop humanoid robot employees in the future, aiming to handle basic tasks such as reception, guidance and office appointments.However, Fu Jian, director of Henan Zejin Law Firm, warned that chat records, work emails, and personal working habits of former employees are all legally defined as personal information, while some private communications may even defined as sensitive personal data.Further Reading“Training data that involves personal information must be obtained with the person’s consent. If a company uses an employee’s code, documents or work plans for AI training without permission, it may infringe upon their privacy and personal information rights.A scientist working in an artificial intelligence technology design lab. Photo: Getty Images“In particularly serious cases, the sentence may range from three to seven years, along with a fine,” he said.The company’s practice sparked controversy on mainland social media.One person asked: “Absurd. The employee is already leaving. Why would he still agree to this?”Another added: “He should be paid copyright fees. Even after leaving, the company should continue paying him.”A third person quipped: “Great. Humanity has just taken another big step toward its own destruction.”