Artificial intelligence is already transforming the way companies think about work as more businesses incorporate some form of AI into their business processes, and it is also starting to be used to improve health and safety in the workplace.
Advantage: One of the most promising applications of AI in workplace safety is computer vision technology, which is paired up to existing closed-circuit television systems and analyses camera footage,
For example by monitoring worker behavior (such as whether someone is wearing insufficient personal protective equipment) and detecting potential hazards, such as trip hazards or when a person is in a restricted or dangerous zone.
AI technology can also be used to monitor the condition of machinery and whether safety guards are being used, detect abnormalities and alert employers of potential problems with machinery.
Risk: Although AI has a lot of potential benefits for workplace safety, it is important to note that it is not a universal cure for everything and people still need to be involved in decision-making processes.
High levels of surveillance may also be perceived by workers as undue intrusion into their privacy, which can have adverse effects such as stress, anxiety and depression—for example, if AI is misused to calculate how long they spend in restrooms or how many breaks they take.
AI is also ineffective in situations where there is no data available. For example, if a new type of hazard emerges, then AI might not be able to predict it.
It is therefore important to communicate with workers early in the implementation process to help alleviate these concerns.
Another risk frequently reported in relation to AI is the intensification of work. For example, while it can be used to track task completion times, care needs to be taken around incentivizing workers to complete tasks too quickly at the expense of health and safety.
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