AI has garnered significant attention across various industries, including EHS. While some companies embrace AI as a competitive advantage, others remain hesitant due to concerns about security and potential liabilities, missing out on the strategic benefits this technology has to offer.
Sandra Neale, EHS Executive Leader at GE Vernova, and Natasha Porter, Chief Customer Officer at Benchmark Gensuite, explored these issues at NAEM’s webinar, “AI in EHS: Practical Applications & Risk Reduction.” During the discussion, Sandra and Natasha highlighted key insights on AI adoption trends, practical applications, and the challenges organizations face in integrating AI into EHS programs.
Here are the four most frequently asked questions from EHS leaders about AI—and the answers that matter.
1. How can AI make the biggest impact in EHS?
EHS professionals deal with overwhelming amounts of data often scattered across systems, making it difficult to anticipate risks and implement preventive measures. AI solves this challenge by quickly synthesizing vast amounts of information, identifying patterns, trends, and predictive insights that enable leaders to mitigate risks before incidents occur.
By using AI, leaders can now pinpoint the most critical risks, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most. By identifying potential incidents before they occur, organizations can take a more strategic approach to workplace safety and regulatory compliance, ultimately improving operational efficiency and reducing workplace hazards.
2. What are barriers to adopting AI in EHS?
The biggest challenge? Trust. Many professionals expect AI to deliver 100% accuracy, which delays adoption. However, AI doesn’t replace human expertise—it enhances it. Instead of aiming for perfection, organizations should focus on whether AI can get them 80-85% of the way there, allowing professionals to apply their judgment to refine the results. Don’t let perfect get in the way of good!
Another key concern is data security. Companies must ensure AI tools operate within a secure, controlled environment. That’s why many organizations deploy internally managed AI solutions, such as Team GPT, or AMP, developed by GE Vernova, which allow them to leverage AI’s power while maintaining compliance with corporate data policies.
Finally, consider that AI is not designed to replace human decision-making but to enhance it. By identifying patterns and risks that human bias might overlook, AI becomes a crucial support tool, enabling EHS professionals to make well-informed decisions faster and more effectively.
3. Will AI replace EHS professionals?
A frequent concern is whether AI will replace human roles in EHS. As Harvard professor Karim Lakhani puts it “AI won’t replace humans—but humans with AI will replace humans without AI.” AI is a tool for augmentation, not substitution.
Think of AI as an extra set of eyes—an assistant that analyzes risks, automates reports, and provides insights that might otherwise be missed. But final decisions? Those still rely on human expertise ensuring AI-driven insights are validated and effectively implemented.
By reducing the time spent on manual data analysis, AI enables EHS professionals to focus on high-value tasks like risk mitigation, strategic planning, and leadership. Instead of taking away responsibility, AI enhances their ability to make faster, more informed decisions.
4. How Can EHS Leaders Get Started with AI?
If AI still feels intimidating, start with simple, low-risk applications. A simple way to start is by using AI for everyday tasks such as finding a restaurant or planning a trip to build confidence in its capabilities. Once users recognize AI’s value in personal applications, they can transition to professional use cases.
For EHS, an easy starting point is using AI to review policies and procedures. AI can suggest clearer language, alternative communication methods, or even highlight gaps in procedures helping organizations improve compliance and engagement.
The key is to demonstrate value early on and expand strategically. Once organizations see the value, they can explore more advanced applications, such as automating reports or leveraging predictive analytics for risk prevention.
Real-World AI Adoption: GE Vernova’s Experience
At GE Vernova, AI adoption started with PPE compliance monitoring using Benchmark Gensuite’s PSI AI Advisor. This AI tool analyzes thousands of workplace incident records from OSHA’s publicly available database to detect patterns, classify potentially serious events (PSEs), and provide risk-based recommendations. By leveraging this vast dataset, PSI AI Advisor helps safety teams identify hidden hazards, underreported risks, and emerging compliance trends before they lead to serious incidents.
They then expanded to Benchmark’s computer vision software, which now analyze workplace environments in real time to detect:
- Person-down incidents: Ensuring quick emergency response.
- Forklift proximity risks: Reducing collision hazards in shared workspaces.
- Vehicle speeding trends: Addressing high-risk behaviors, especially during night shifts.
- Suspended load monitoring: Preventing mechanical lifting hazards.
The results? After implementing AI-powered forklift speed monitoring, GE Vernova discovered significant differences between day and night shifts. Night-shift drivers were moving faster due to reduced supervision, increasing the risk of accidents. Once this insight was shared, corrective actions—such as speed limiters—were put in place, immediately improving safety.
AI is not a replacement but an ally. As companies integrate this AI into their EHS strategies, they can achieve a more proactive, efficient, and adaptive approach to managing safety and compliance.
Are you ready to take the first step? Learn more about our AI solutions for EHS today.
