Creating a new digital tool to help manage 'AI' WHS risks

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The NSW Government’s Centre for Work Health and Safety (the Centre) is developing a digital Artificial Intelligence (AI) Risk Management Tool to help businesses manage workplace health and safety risks when introducing and using the technology.

Centre Director, Skye Buatava, said around 70 per cent of Australian companies are expected to adopt at least one type of AI technology by 2030.

“While AI may provide efficient solutions to business operations, there are new potential work health and safety risks to workers,” Ms Buatava said.

“We are conducting further research to establish evidence-based actions businesses can take to help address identified risks, while developing a user-friendly AI WHS Risk Management Tool.

“The Centre has instigated two studies identifying over 50 risks to inform the tool’s development, in partnership with the University of Adelaide we have exploring the ethical use of AI at work, while our work with Charles Sturt University is examining how businesses can trust new processes.

“WHS risks were found to be present throughout the planning, implementation and continued use of AI technology, and it is crucial that we understand these risks now and provide guidance to businesses before AI becomes mainstream. 

“So far we have consulted with more than 80 experts from business, government and academia – the feedback and planning we are undertaking now will go a long way to ensuring workplace safety as the technology becomes available,” Ms Buatava said.