Adapting to a Future of Using AI in Safety

What IS coming in AI:: The initial areas that are/will using AI are: HR, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and Customers service.  Next, it is predicted that AI agents will be doing every possible form of knowledge work – AI lawyers, teachers, accountants, pharmacists, engineers, financial analysts, marketing strategists, architects, doctors and surgeons, plus self-driving cars, humanoid robots, delivery drones, and more.

Impact on Jobs and Society:: This can be a little is scary … there will be significant job losses in many areas.  Some companies have already moved exclusively to chatbots (remember the phone menu options – #1 for x, #2 for y, etc …).  These chatbots can now quickly answer over 75% of the questions we type in.  However, if you are part of the unlucky who have a new “abnormal” question – good luck trying to talk to a real person that knows what they are doing.  This is very knowledgeable (not entry level) product resource job is one of the places that people will still be needed to find an answer for the new question and then update the database for future chatbots to use.

Imagine what a safety program looks like if there are no humans doing the work in your building?  That role could be to supervise humans to ensure they are safely keeping robots working.  To move beyond fear, and embrace change, you need to become informed.  We have seen this transition from our parents in lifelong roles, through us and now into our children working in many roles … change is accelerating.  The new world embraces lifelong learning and development of skills that complement AI technologies. To get a Growth Mindset you need the following:  Persevere in the face of failure, Effort to build new skills, Inspiration in others success, Embrace challenges, Accept criticism, Desire to learn, Build abilities.

Robotics and systems will be an area of great strength but could be an area of greatest weakness as well.  Obviously, not using staff would translate to harm reduction on from front line for things like sorting, boxing, cutting, packing, etc. are where a large majority safety concerns. AI enabled businesses could run 24/7, no shifts of people or the related workspace - saving costs while becoming much more scalable. These companies will need to build in redundancies and focus on risk mitigation measures – so that if something goes wrong you will not be completely shut down, indefinitely.  A role for redundancy risk management auditors and insurance companies will be required.  Maintenance PROFESSIONALS will be in high demand, and interconnections to other companies using the same type of systems allowing for back up parts and knowledge when you need them.  IT professionals will also find demand from robotics and automation to systems and data security. People that interact, understand and build will be needed.

Finally, above all, data will increase in value and protection of misuse will be critical.  Who buys from you (their exact characteristics), how often, payment and delivery information.  Customer lists are part of the new currency. 

Preparing for the Future:: Focus your training programs on ways to thrive in an AI-driven world. It is predicted that growth for AI in safety over the next few years will explode in the area of AI integrated Virtual Reality.  The training and remote worker implications can be staggering!

Free AI skills courses (thank you ICTC)   https://aiskillsnavigator.microsoft.com/en-us

A risk management framework (https://airc.nist.gov/AI_RMF_Knowledge_Base/AI_RMF) and a playbook for achieving outcomes (https://airc.nist.gov/AI_RMF_Knowledge_Base/Playbook)

Conclusion:  Awareness of AI is the critical first step to using AI safely and securely.  AI will be useful in many ways we cannot yet imagine so start your learning and usage trip. Understanding its potential and limitation are important to the planning and execution of your businesses plans. Remember to start small and learn to walk before you try to run.  Maybe watch a few Hollywood movies and think about what use cases could be created if these killer robots were used for good instead?  And, finally, remember to consider that great people are valuable, data is valuable, and risks will evolve and need to be addressed as things change.

The Plug - If you are evaluating your current safety program and want to start down digital path that really can make a change to how you work smarter not harder then please contact our customer support team.  We pride ourselves in the human touch to help and it is always free to explore and book a demo at www.Workhub.com.

This is the Sixth (5+) and now final article of a five-part series on Safely mixing real intelligence with artificial intelligence. You can find the rest of the series at our website under “blog”.

Part 1: Introduction to AI in Safety

Part 2: How AI Works in Safety

Part 3: Ethical Considerations in AI, not just in Safety

Part 4: AI in the Workplace Safety Program

Part 5: The Future of AI in Safety

Part 5++: Adapting to Using AI in Safety