Patent applications for a Microsoft AI-powered feature designed to monitor the body language, facial expressions, and other features of meeting participants was criticised as "dystopian".

Microsoft's proposed "Meeting Insight Computing System" would use cameras, sensors, and software tools to monitor and score both in-person and remote meetings with the aim of assessing and predicting "overall quality scores". 

The system would monitor participants' body language, facial expressions, and engagement levels, track factors like room temperature, time of day, and number of attendees, and assess how much participants contribute versus performing other tasks.

The system was criticised as a potential "privacy nightmare" due to its highly invasive nature, including its collection of extensive data on employees' behaviour and interactions. It also raised questions about data storage, access, and potential misuse. 

Critics argued the system represents excessive workplace monitoring, potentially creating a stressful, constantly-surveilled environment for employees that may infringe on workers' autonomy and right to privacy and that could lead to unfair assessments of employee contributions based on inaccurate and unfair data.

Microsoft declined to comment on the patent filings when asked.