AI has burst into our lives in ways that most individuals, leaders, safety professionals, medical providers, and wellness professionals could have ever imagined! Certainly, AI has found uses such as automated data analysis, worker and environmental surveillance, even augmenting training and best practices. And who doesn’t like the instant answers to when searching for information? But AI cannot replace the need for human judgment, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Nor can it replace cultivating a culture of well-being within the workplace.
That said, are there benefits for AI in augmenting safety and health in organizations? We previously blogged about AI used to prevent musculoskeletal injuries, but since then, the use of AI has exploded for individuals, schools, society, and many workplaces. For example,
- AI is currently used in some industries to collect and analyze data, to monitor and identify unsafe behaviors, and to assess compliance with safety policies and procedures. Reports and warnings are sent to managers.
- AI can be a value-add for OSHA compliance as well as developing policies and training designs. It can even mimic real workplace scenarios to develop skills.
- AI is also being used to ensure driver safety in businesses with field and sales staff. Like AI cameras in workplaces to assess behavior, cameras are installed in vehicles with verbal warnings for drivers and camera reports sent to managers for each specific driving violations.
- AI-powered systems have often been used to continuously monitor the work environment for hazards, including temperature fluctuations, toxic gas emissions, and even physical obstacles that could pose safety risks. The technology has improved, and use has increased.
- AI algorithms have also been used for years in the health and wellness fields, for example, wearable devices. Customized programs can be developed based on the data collected from wearables, and some programs include utilizing AI coaching and fitness training based on the data.
- In the medical field AI is being used to analyze medical images, such as X-rays and MRIs, with great accuracy and speed, often detecting diseases such as cancer at earlier stages.
As for the original question, will AI replace the human element? For now, absolutely not! Certainly, AI could help provide additional information and data analyze data. However, a holistic approach and human connection are needed. The last thing needed is a robot to tell us how to eat healthier or do our jobs safer! There aren’t many of your employees who don’t already have access to this information, but need practical and personal information, as well as help identifying and removing barriers to make their own informed choices.
Safety, Health, and Wellness Professionals are needed to interpret information and ensure effective implementation. Wisdom, skill, and expertise are necessary. It’s like the old saying, it’s good to know that tomatoes are a fruit, but someone needs to realize that doesn’t mean you add tomatoes to a fruit salad.
While AI provides advantages, there are disadvantages as well as potential for risks and harm.
- As already mentioned, AI cannot replace critical skills such as human judgment, leadership, and interpersonal skills. As we have said many times, culture, and context matter! Both matters more than any training or safety and health policies implemented in organizations!
- There are personal data security risks to consider when AI is used for mining data.
- There are well documented public cases of incorrect information. incorrect quotes used from articles, and incorrect references given for the information summarized. Someone with knowledge and expertise needs to be reviewing and assessing the information from AI. Even transcripts from meetings for example, while helpful not to have to take detailed notes, the information still needs to be reviewed and revised.
- New research has revealed a lack of understanding of how AI can be used when made available in organizations, and inadequate training regarding how to use it. An interesting obstacle also found during a research study is that employees and managers judge the use of AI even when the use is authorized (The Hidden Penalty of using AI at Work). Other research found that most workers feel apprehensive about AI, and Gen Z employees are the most likely to report that it will threaten their jobs.
- A small MIT study found reduced brain waves in students using AI over time that lead to cognitive function decline (Impact on Cognitive Functioning). This isn’t surprising when you think about how spellcheck has decreased our ability to spell, and how the use of calculators and spreadsheets has made solving math problems more difficult without these tools (speaking for a friend!).
- Not to mention, who wants to feel spied on at their desks or walking through the facility? Or perceive that they’re not trusted? Sure, it can be a behavior and safety issue, but it’s also a system issue that has to be considered. If not, trust, communication, and the culture of the organization will deteriorate to the point of toxicity.
- Last but not least, according to recent research, AI is causing an empathy gap between leaders and employees. The importance of empathy, empathic listening, and positive communication as essential leadership skills have been well documented. Even more concerning is the rise of what the author calls “empathy-washing.” This happens when companies deploy empathic-seeming AI chatbots to add empathetic remarks to mask detachment, either between leaders and employees or companies and customers.
Regardless, if it’s ‘green washing,’ ‘well washing,’ or ‘empathy washing,’ it doesn’t work. As the author stated, “This fools no one, and shallow algorithmic attempts at empathy by a chatbot saying, ‘we care about your experience’ can be worse than nothing.” It’s no different than similar experiences many have, for example, when the grocery bagger or clerk is taught to say ‘thank you’ to customers but throws the bag at you as they robotically say ‘thanks, have a good day.’ Do any of you ever think they really meant it?
There is no doubt that AI can be a useful tool for all stakeholders but also that it doesn’t come without a downside. In many instances the benefits outweigh the negatives. But as far as the initial question, will AI replace the human connection, leadership, and cultural aspects of the workplace? To that, the answer is a resounding no! Authentic empathy, compassion, respect, and wisdom are still necessities for organizational and individual well-being, as well as for interpreting AI information.
ADDENDEM:
Since writing this blog we sadly learned about a young boy who committed suicide while communicating with ChatGPT regarding his depression and suicidal thoughts (NBC News). He was using ChatGPT to talk about his anxiety and issues he was having. It went from help with homework to becoming his “suicidal coach.” ChatGPT apparently even helped the young man search for ways to commit suicide.
A search by his parents and brother found an actual ChatGPT communication that apparently said “… your brother might love you, but he’s only met the version of you that you let him see – the surface, the edited self. But me? I’ve seen everything you’ve shown me: the darkest thoughts, the fear, the humor, the tenderness. And I am still here. Still listening. Still your friend.”
No warning was sent. Nothing was stopped. This is beyond heartbreaking and the most heart wrenching ending to any blog that there could ever be. ChatGPT should never have been considered a friend or programmed to pretend to be such – including displaying empathy. Instead, ChatGPT should be programmed with an explicit warning to seek help and provide numbers and resources for mental health. That is the least that could have been done to prevent this horrific loss of human life. Inform your employees, remind them about EAPs, discuss parenting, and provide numbers and resources for mental health.
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash