Does more time on the loo, really mean less money in your boss's pocket?

Startup invents uncomfortable toilet to boost productivity

Royal Flush

British startup StandardToilet has designed a productivity toilet that's intentionally made to be uncomfortable thanks to its 13-degree slope.

Startup Invents Uncomfortable Toilet to Boost Productivity

"[Its] main benefit is to the employers, not the employees."

When it comes to managerial tasks, most Chinese workers would rather take orders from a robot.

88 percent of Chinese workers would prefer a robot boss

"Loving And Gratifying"

A small survey shows that most Chinese workers would prefer to be managed by an impartial AI algorithm or "robot boss" than a human.

88 Percent of Chinese Workers Would Prefer a Robot Boss

Middle managers: consider yourselves warned.

The future of coworking could be virtual.

I tried a VR app meant to replace offices, and it was glorious

Working From Home

When virtual reality hits the mainstream, companies may find that its cheaper to invest in VR headsets and simulated offices than physical real estate.

I Tried a VR App Meant to Replace Offices, and It Was Glorious

"It's like Skype meets the Empire State Building."

This is another datapoint that helps us understand the confusing ways we interact with robots. 

A mean robot supervisor could make you a better-performing employee

Robots & Machines

In a new study, people performed better at a cognitive task when a robot supervisor was in the room — but only if the robot was mean.

A Mean Robot Supervisor Could Make You a Better-Performing Employee

Having a not-nice bot nearby stresses people out, so they perform better. 

The average South Korean employee spends 2069 hours every year in the office. Danish workers spend 1410.

South Korea's solution to the plague of "overtime culture": Shut it down

Future Society

To encourage people to leave the office at healthier hours, South Korea is enforcing a country-wide computer shutdown on Friday evenings.

South Korea's Solution to the Plague of "Overtime Culture": Shut it Down

The U.S. could learn a thing or two.

South Korea’s Solution to the Plague of “Overtime Culture”: Shut it Down

Having lots of data is fine, but humans ultimately have to decide how to act on it.

Startup to use AI to improve workplace communication, but will probably just sell your data

A service uses emotional crisis management data to help employees to communicate better. This could mean a healthier workplace, but don't get your hopes up.

Startup to Use AI to Improve Workplace Communication, but Will Probably Just Sell Your Data

AI will give bosses some data-based "empathy lessons."

The pending tax bill allows businesses to write off the cost of purchasing new machines or hardware.

Tax reform could spur US adoption of automated systems

Artificial Intelligence

The pending U.S. tax reform bill allows businesses to write off the cost of new machines, which could allow businesses to cheaply replace human workers.

Tax Reform Could Spur U.S. Adoption of Automated Systems

Businesses might find that automated workforces are more cost effective if the proposed tax bill is passed.

If these predictions come to pass, over 15 percent of Britain's workforce will become automated.

In ten years, robots could replace more than 4 million workers

A new study suggests that robots will replace as many as four million British workers in the next decade. Can we find new roles for these people to fill?

In Ten Years, Robots Could Replace More Than 4 Million Workers

“Robots and AI could let us produce more for less...but we need to talk about who benefits."

And here’s how most people spend those years.

Watch: Here's how short life really is

Health & Medicine

And here's how most people spend those years.

Watch: Here’s How Short Life Really Is

And if it does, we could always raise the minimum wage.

Millennials believe that technology is creating jobs, not taking them away

Millennials believe that the increasing implementation of automated labor will not take a way jobs, but actually create more work opportunity.

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