Science fiction fans, rejoice! We are living in an era of wonder, with powerful computers in our pockets, virtual reality in our living rooms and even responsive virtual assistants that can hold a conversation. It’s not just novelty, either—new technology has measurable benefits in the workplace. Insights from wearable sensors help us work smarter while computer vision keeps us alert to hazards. And artificial intelligence is helping save time with basic writing tasks through generative AI chatbots. The safety applications of new technology are numerous, but it’s important to think of them as helpful additions to your processes and not replacements. When confronted with the demands of productivity it can be especially tempting to let the robot handle it—but heavy reliance on new technologies can quickly lead to dangerous levels of complacency.
Thankfully, you can benefit from high-tech innovations without inviting more risk into your workplace. All it takes is a mindful approach and a human touch. Here are three tips to avoid tech complacency.
Tip #1: Proofread AI-generated text
It’s impossible to escape the hype around AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. And for good reason. These powerful machine-learning tools can generate pages of text on demand in seconds. It’s a time saver, especially for busy safety folks who find typing a frustrating chore. But as exciting as the prospect of an electronic scribe might be, the reality is that modern AI still requires human supervision to ensure it’s being used safely and responsibly.
Artificial intelligence has been shown to invent facts. Researchers in the field of machine learning call these lapses “hallucinations.” According to IBM, they are the result of an AI identifying an obscure or non-existent pattern outside the scope of what a user expects when entering a prompt. The results can be anywhere from baffling to expensive or even hazardous. Inaccurate AI has led to an airline customer service conflict, scientific misinformation and chaos in the legal system. The last thing you want is a computerized hallucination spreading confusion in your workplace—especially if you’re using it to work on safety-related material.
While this problem might sound futuristic, the solution is classic: keep your eyes on task. AI is a tool, and like all tools, you need to stay sharp and aware when you are using it. After prompting a chatbot to generate a safety memo, text for a poster or even content for a digital display presentation, make sure you double-check that everything it states is true and in line with your workplace’s safety culture. The same goes for AI-generated images. Automated illustration tools are trained on vast sets of images, not safety standards or workplace experience, so it’s more likely than not that a person drawn with AI will need some touching up when it comes to wearing the proper PPE.
Intention, experience and clarity are foundational to communication, and only you know what you want to say to your colleagues. Even in today’s reality of brain-scanning implants, most computers can’t read minds (…yet), so make sure to add a proofreading step to any processes involving artificial intelligence. That way you can benefit from its efficiency without succumbing to its known risks.
Tip #2: Look with your eyes, not your cameras
From advanced video feeds that detect hazards to face-scanning webcams, computer vision is widespread. And it’s not just a technology you find at work. In fact, one of the most common places you’re likely to encounter computer vision is in the driver’s seat of your car. Blind spot monitoring technology is proven to significantly reduce lane-change crashes. It is out there on the road right now, preventing injuries and fatalities as you read this sentence. But once again, while blind spot monitoring is a lifesaving safety tool, it is not a replacement for a driver’s eyes.
A computer screen is not a window, and an indicator light cannot replace real human verification. Obstructions on cameras, hazards outside of their field of detection or equipment malfunctions can all lead to inaccurate readings. Without maintaining the habit of physically checking a blind spot, there is no guarantee that a driver is safe to merge lanes, even if the symbol on your dashboard says otherwise. And while malfunctions and misfires are one thing, habits are another. Relying too much on vehicular camera systems can reinforce technology-dependent behaviors, meaning that the next time a driver is in an older car without a computer vision aide, they may find themselves driving blind, relying on safety features that aren’t there as they forget to move their eyes before turning the wheel.
Just like checking for oncoming traffic at a crosswalk can save you from a collision, drivers should look with their eyes before moving their car. Proactively working on safe driving habits isn’t something you can automate. Even when a machine tells a driver they’re clear to proceed, it’s up to the person at the wheel—not their tools—to stay out of the line of fire. As a safety professional, you can incorporate reminders about the complacency-inducing effects of car cameras and alerts, and can also lead the charge when it comes to developing safe habits among workers.
Tip #3: Be safe before your watch beeps
Smartwatches and other wearable technologies are a great way to get workers thinking more about their physical condition, can provide broad insights into the overall fitness of a workforce and are helpful for detecting incidents and near misses. These insights are especially helpful in harsh environmental working conditions. Wearable sensors can alert workers when their vital signs show they’re in need of rest or are close to thresholds for temperature-related illness. A beeping or vibrating notification can warn an employee of the signs of dehydration, ensuring they don’t work themselves into a painful and dangerous state. Location sensors can detect potential collisions and gyroscopes can report fallen employees. Yet, as helpful as these features are, wearable sensors should be thought of as additional elements to a well-defined workflow, and not as a replacement to a strong safety culture.
Temperature-related hazards can be especially tricky to avoid. Depending on the type of work being done and the breathability of the PPE being worn, heat exhaustion can strike quickly, even in moderate temperatures. And while a wearable sensor can alert its user that their vital statistics are entering the danger zone, the best way to avoid environmental illness is to mitigate it proactively. After all, where would you rather be: working productively because you have been staying hydrated and cooled, or dizzy with heat cramps, taking a timeout after your smartwatch chirped to say that you’re overheating?
Vital monitoring technologies are at their best when workforces are ahead of the game. When a work safety culture prioritizes important quality-of-life measures like water breaks, shelter from the weather and fatigue monitoring, the data from health-tracking technology can provide more valuable long-term insights, acting as a strategic tool instead of a warning alarm. The door swings both ways with wearable technology—research shows that proactive heat mitigation strategies actually improve worker productivity.
And that’s a great way to think about all new technologies that promise unprecedented levels of automation, efficiency and visibility: as complementary enhancements, not shortcuts. They provide another layer of protection and another source of decision-informing insights—similar to using multiple organizational lenses to help solve complex problems. Wherever there are people, human factors are at play, influencing their level of risk. Even if the latest state-of-the-art tools can help detect hazards and save energy, it takes a mindful culture and the skills of real people to manage those human factors and stay out of danger.