In this episode of the IOSH Podcast, sponsored by safety and sustainability software provider EcoOnline, Richard Bate is joined by AI advocate Cam Stevens and technology critic Cory Doctorow to explore one of the most controversial questions facing the profession: where is the line between keeping people safe and keeping them under surveillance?
The discussion examines workplace monitoring, privacy, trust, bias in AI systems and the growing influence of algorithms on decision-making. As AI takes on a bigger role in risk assessments, incident investigations and worker monitoring, the conversation asks whether these technologies will empower safety professionals, undermine professional judgement, or fundamentally reshape the relationship between employers and workers.
Can AI deliver safer workplaces without sacrificing trust and autonomy? Or are safety and surveillance becoming increasingly difficult to separate?