Biometric technologies at work: a proposed use-based taxonomy

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Biometric technologies at work: a proposed use-based taxonomy

We define biometric technologies as AI technologies that rely on biometric data to derive inferences about the individual whose data is collected.

Publishing date: 17 November 2021
Authors: Mario Mariniello Mia Hoffmann

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Biometric technologies have in principle the potential to significantly improve worker productivity, security and safety. However, they are also a source of new risks, including exposure to potential personal data abuse or the psychological distress caused by permanent monitoring. The European Union lacks a coherent regulatory framework on the mitigation of risks arising from the use of biometric technologies in the workplace.

We propose a taxonomy to underpin the use of artificial intelligence-powered biometric technologies in the workplace. Technologies can be classified into four broad categories based on their main function: (1) security, (2) recruitment, (3) monitoring, (4) safety and well-being. We identify the benefits and risks linked to each category.

To be more effective, EU regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace should integrate more detail on technology use. It should also address the current scarcity of granular data by sourcing information from users of AI technologies, not only providers.

There is an untapped potential for technology to address workplace health hazards. Policymakers should design incentive mechanisms to encourage adoption of the technologies with the greatest potential to benefit workers.

Artificial intelligence users, in particular bigger companies, should be required to assess the effect of AI adoption on work processes, with the active participation of their workforces.

This Policy Contribution was produced within the project ‘Future of Work and Inclusive Growth in Europe’, with the financial support of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

About the authors

Mario Mariniello

Mario Mariniello is a Non-resident fellow at Bruegel since September 2024. He is Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in Natolin, Poland, and formerly taught at the University of Namur, the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and the University of Florence. He is the author of "Digital Economic Policy", Oxford University Press 2022.

His main interests are the economics of digital markets, competition policy and the impact of technology in labour markets.

Mario was previously a Senior Fellow at Bruegel, where he launched and led the “Future of Work and Inclusive Growth” project. He also previously led Bruegel's digital and competition policy research agenda.

He was Digital Adviser at the European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC), a European Commission in-house think-tank that operated under the authority of the former Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, a member of the Chief Economist Team at DG Competition (the Commission’s antitrust department), and worked on the use of AI in workplaces at the Commission’s DG Employment.

Mario holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Organization from the European University Institute (Florence) and a M.Sc. in Economics from CORIPE (Turin). He is currently pursuing a bachelor degree in Philosophy at KU Leuven.
Mia Hoffmann

Mia worked at Bruegel as a Research Analyst until August 2022. She studied International Economics (BSc) at University of Tuebingen, including one semester at the Università di Torino, and holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Lund University.

Before joining Bruegel Mia worked in the international development sector. As a Bluebook Trainee she worked at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development and previously interned at the German development bank DEG, working on credit analysis and restructuring.

Her previous research focused on the impact of migration on economic growth and analyzed the effects of childcare policy on household bargaining. Her current research interests involve issues related to trade, labor markets and inequality.

Mia is a German native speaker, is fluent in English and has good working knowledge in French and Italian.