Creating a Synergistic Work Environment: Human and AI

Technological advancement has led to the rise of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life. Particularly in the workplace, AI is increasingly utilized to improve the streamlining and effectiveness of a variety of tasks and maximize decision-making processes. Employers can implement AI technology for human resources–related tasks (e.g., recruiting and hiring processes, onboarding, and responding to queries). Artificial intelligence’s real-time data collection ability can be used to identify exposure risks and monitor workers as well as identify and flag potential occupational disease or distress early. The technology can also replace workers’ physical presence in dangerous or risky work environments as well as monitor productivity (Fisher et al., 2023).

In addition to issues relating to security, privacy, and confidentiality (Agrawal et al., 2019), AI affects social structures and worker well-being. According to the recent American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2023 report, 38% of workers are worried about job insecurity as a result of AI making their roles obsolete, and these workers are more likely to report feelings associated with burnout and poor mental health (APA, 2023). Workers who worry about the impact of AI are also more likely to report that they intend to look for a new job within the next year, and there is a disproportionate association of these concerns among certain groups of workers, including minorities, workers under the age of 58, and those in high-risk jobs (APA, 2023).

Despite the advantages of incorporating AI into the workplace, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) professionals need to be aware of the ways in which AI may perpetuate existing inequities. It is important to account for the impact AI will have on high-risk industries, how data can be used and the consequences, and the societal shifts that will come as a result of implementing AI (Fisher et al., 2023).

Occupational Safety and Health professionals can develop processes to facilitate positive and safe human–AI interactions all the while taking appropriate steps to mitigate the potential inequities, productivity, and safety concerns. They can leverage AI tools and key frameworks such as the Risk Evolution, Detection, Evaluation, and Control of Accidents (REDECA) framework (Pishgar et al., 2021) to facilitate prompt risk identification and interventions. As much as possible, OSH professionals should make the effort to involve workers in the decision-making process around AI, conduct AI system audits, and ensure that the algorithm training data is representative of the population (Fisher et al., 2023). Occupational Safety and Health professionals should also be proactive in ensuring that the psychological health and safety of the workforce is prioritized to help mitigate the negative impacts of worry over the increase in AI usage. Workers should be provided with tools and resources such as AI skills training and continuing education opportunities to help them adjust to AI adoption in the workplace and update their skills to prepare them for new tasks (Fisher et al., 2023).

As workplaces continue to adapt and make room for AI and other new technologies, it is important to be aware of and account for their impact (positive and negative) on the workforce. Occupational Safety and Health professionals should focus on identifying the current disparities that exist and taking steps to ensure that the introduction of AI helps to mitigate those disparities rather than aggravate them. By supporting workers while integrating AI into the workforce, OSH professionals can help create a synergistic work environment.