Investigating the Acceptance of the Cognitive Assistant Reflect that Supports Humans in Computer-Oriented Work

As more and more sensors find their way into the workplace, new types of digital assistance become possible. Despite their undeniable importance in improving occupational health and safety, there has long been disagreement about how and whether cognitive performance at work should be measured, analyzed, and used to either provide feedback to the user or report to the supervisor. The collection of sensory information is perceived very differently depending on cultural background, personality, device owner, and intended use of the data collected. While personal devices—such as smartwatches—enjoy a high level of acceptance, collecting data on employer devices is generally considered unacceptable and, depending on the country, even prohibited by law. To investigate the perceived usefulness at work, we designed Reflect, which responds to critical user conditions by informing the user. We found that, contrary to common belief, the use of cognitive assistance supporting workers or students in computer-oriented work is perceived positively by most participants and can be increased by emphasizing transparency and fair data processing.