Project status: Active

How can we account for the WHS effects of implementing AI systems?

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more prevalent in different facets of our lives and our work.

Many businesses introducing AI to their operations don’t understand the limitations and potential work health and safety (WHS) impacts such technologies can carry with them. It is common for WHS consequences to be realised late in the implementation of an AI system, rather than considering them in the early design stages.

Poorly planned implementation of AI into a business can have negative impacts on the physical and mental health of workers, so consideration of WHS needs to be made at the design stage of a new system.

Learning how to manage future risks

We began this project by building on past projects where we looked at

• Ethical use of AI in the workplace which explored the extent to which people developing and deploying AI innovations consider the impacts on workers; and
• Trusting AI in the workplace which explored the reasons that a worker may resist machine-generated advice

We are now developing a risk management tool for businesses using AI systems. This tool will help to identify the likelihood and impact of related risks and offer appropriate mitigation strategies aligned to the planning, implementation, maintenance, and use of these technologies.

The tool aims to be practical and user-friendly to assist businesses adopting AI technology. This will ensure WHS risks are identified and managed throughout the lifecycle of the AI operation.

Watch this space for the AI WHS Risk Assessment Tool.

Further reading

• Ethical use of AI in the workplace
• Trusting AI in the workplace

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