Mehan welcomes you to the age of brain surveillance and wiretapping! Evolution in the fields of neuroscience and artificial intelligence help collectively produce an affordable and soon-to-be widely available era of neurotech gadgets. These devices will be integrated with dry electrodes to connect human brains to computers, and with the help of sophisticated algorithms, the set up will “analyze” brain-wave data as a whole.

Neuro-technology [1] is a rapidly emerging field and has an amazing capacity to transform day-to-day work operations. By using neural interfaces connected with headsets, ear-pods, and wrist-worn gadgets, organizations can now identify fatigue levels, track attention, augment productivity, promote safety, mitigate stress, and devise a more responsive yet engaging workplace.

According to a latest report, thousands of construction, aviation, and trucking companies around the world already use neuro-technology to ensure the general well-being of their workers. For instance, SmartCap, a company that creates wearable gadgets to record fatigue and stress levels, has been used by mining companies to minimize the risk of accidents caused by drowsy workers. In addition, neuro-technology devices have been widely used to detect concussions in football players and to aid individuals with disabilities to communicate properly and effectively.

The new technology provides employers with multiple approaches to enhance the overall well-being and efficiency of their employees, thus creating a healthy and successful business. However, advancements in neuro-technology also cause critical privacy concerns for employees. Will they be informed what brain information is being collected or how it will be utilised? This is alarming as any false attempt could result in the loss of employee trust, which is a vital ingredient for business success.

Also, the use of neuro-technology devices in the workplace also raises significant ethical concerns. According to a recent study, 82% of employees are concerned about their privacy and long term implications of using neuro gadgets at work.

Despite such concerns, there are potential rewards of neuro-technology in the workplace. By monitoring employee well-being, the supervisors can create more conducive and healthier work environments and ultimately achieve organizational goals. It results in high employee engagement as workers in trustworthy setups are more productive, have lasting energy, collaborate better, and are more loyal. On the contrary, employees in low-trust organizations feel demoralised and eventually become disengaged. According to recent estimations, corporations in the United States lose about $500 billion yearly due to employee disengagement.

By using neuro-technology devices to gauge employee fatigue and stress, attention levels, and span of focus, managers can enhance workplace security and overall productivity. There are proven results that this can lead to increased profits and yearly revenues. For example, a study by the National Safety Council found that exhausted employees cost companies almost $136 billion every year in terms of lost productivity. By using neuro gadgets at work, supervisors can minimize chances of workplace accidents, while improving productivity and retention rates at the same time. Such an integrated and well-informed approach helps save money in the long run.

When it comes to improving employee engagement, even something as small as sitting arrangement and window views can prove helpful.  According to a study conducted at University of California, San Francisco, it was found that individuals who had control over the lighting system in their immediate workspace, were more productive and had relatively higher job satisfaction than those who did not. By using neuro-technology devices to observe employee brain activity, supervisors can provide optimal work conditions for every worker, in order to satisfy and  retain them.

Furthermore, the use of neuro-technology at work can help develop new related products and services. For instance, companies such as Emotiv and NeuroSky are producing consumer neuro devices that can be used for various purposes like, gaming, education, healthcare, etc. This opens a gateway for new investments in the emerging field. By investing in neurotech R&D (research and development), organizations can introduce new offerings that can generate significant revenue.

Overall, the economic implications of neuro-technology in the workplace are vast. By improving workplace safety and productivity, increasing employee satisfaction and retention, and creating new product lines, neuro-technology devices can help companies improve profitability and gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

Neuro-technology [2] also poses a positive effect on emerging economies, as the new field can open multiple job vacancies and related academic courses. This would help minimize the unemployment rate to a certain extent, and the whole concept can become a trend in no time if multiple companies start installing the latest system.

Therefore, Mehan concludes that while neuro-technology has the potential to reconfigure the workplace, it is also essential that all the stakeholders work collectively and coordinate in the best way possible. This is to ensure that the new technology is used in a way that is ethical, confidential, moral, transparent, and respects everyone’s privacy and seniority to reap ultimate rewards for the business.