The trouble with emotion-reading AI – Computerworld

Editions

Search

Menu

Topics

Close

Analytics<br>Android<br>Apple<br>Artificial Intelligence<br>Augmented Reality<br>Careers<br>Cloud Computing<br>Collaboration Software<br>Computers and Peripherals<br>Data Center<br>Emerging Technology<br>Enterprise Applications<br>Enterprise Buyer’s Guides<br>Generative AI<br>Hybrid and Remote Work<br>Industry<br>IT Leadership<br>IT Management<br>IT Operations<br>Mobile<br>Networking<br>Office Suites<br>Operating Systems<br>Productivity Software<br>Security<br>Vendors and Providers<br>Windows

AmericasUnited States

AsiaIndia<br>Korea (대한민국)

EuropeGermany (Deutschland)<br>Netherlands<br>Poland (Polska)<br>Spain (España)<br>Sweden (Sverige)<br>United Kingdom

OceaniaAustralia<br>New Zealand

by Mike Elgan

Contributing Columnist

The trouble with emotion-reading AI

opinion

May 15, 20268 mins

Call it ‘emotion AI,’ ‘affective computing,’ ‘sentiment analysis,’ or ‘algorithmic affect management.’ Whatever the name, it’s a bad idea.

Analytics [Computerworld] > An image of an eye with virtual surveillance." data-hero="" loading="eager" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?quality=50&strip=all 2400w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=50&strip=all 300w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=50&strip=all 768w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=50&strip=all 1024w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=50&strip=all 1536w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=50&strip=all 2048w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=1240%2C826&quality=50&strip=all 1240w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=50&strip=all 150w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=1046%2C697&quality=50&strip=all 1046w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=252%2C168&quality=50&strip=all 252w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=126%2C84&quality=50&strip=all 126w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=720%2C480&quality=50&strip=all 720w, https://www.computerworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4171382-0-01338400-1778828632-spot_analytics_05_cw_eye_surrounded_by_virtual_sensors_metrics_tracking_monitoring_privacy_surveillance_by_thinkstock_843652348_3x2_2400x1600_hero-100884339-orig.jpg?resize=540%2C360&quality=50&strip=all 540w,...