Swiss office installs AI "LOL Officer" to monitor laughter and boost morale

Whether it’s coffee breaks with your favourite colleague or the small thrill of leaving the office a few moments early, there are many ways to help brighten the working day. Now, one Swiss insurance company is adding just a hint of dystopia to the workplace thanks to its new Chief LOL Officer.

AI Chief LOL Officer deployed in Swiss office

Instead of a human comedian or office clown, the Chief LOL Officer is an AI-empowered speaker which is programmed to lighten the mood whenever the office crunch gets too much. The device has been installed at the Appenzell office of Fasoon - an online firm that helps start businesses, which is linked to the insurance provider Baloise. 

The device is able to detect how many times laughter erupts in the office using its microphone - though it won’t be listening in on conversations, of course. If the number of laughs falls below four every two hours, the AI box sends funny content to the email addresses of all employees present. These will range from cat videos and memes to compilations of epic fails and funny images. 

Laughter a great way to ease stress at work, says expert

Despite the gimmicky nature, there is some science behind the LOL Officer. Speaking to 20 Minuten, University of Zurich professor Willibald Ruch noted that "laughter can prevent boredom, reduce stress, facilitate renewed concentration, reduce tension and increase community spirit." 

He praised the fact that the officer can give workers their dose of internet serotonin in a streamlined way. "If several employees come together to laugh together with the device, this can contribute to authentic social bonds and a positive working atmosphere," he concluded.

Burnout remains a problem at the workplace in Switzerland

Indeed, mental exhaustion and burnout remain a common part of jobs in Switzerland. A 2023 survey by Travail Suisse found that over 800.000 Swiss workers want to switch jobs because of stress.

Alexandra Toscanelli, Marketing Manager at Baloise, told 20 Minuten that the soul-sucking nature of some workplaces is often a taboo subject among employers, adding that he hoped the LOL Officer would add a bit of new life to the office."We are aware that the 'Chief LOL Officer' is not sufficient for serious psychological problems, let alone depression," he conceded, assuring that it would not replace therapists and other social services.

Toscanelli concluded that they would conduct a four-week trial with the device. If the response is positive, it could be just a short while before a new officer is onboarded at your office.