Safely mixing real intelligence with AI - Part 2 AI is coming to a workplace near you – so how does it work?

Basic Concepts: Just like the human brain, AI operates through data and algorithms that create models capable of making predictions or decisions based on input.  Translation “Its just like how we as a human use current information plus our history to make decisions”.

What is Machine Learning: Inventors are building computers (Running a program with neural networks using a bunch of functions to understand and translate data) to mimic the human brain - using existing data, to give the computer a history of possible outcomes “teaching”. Its like providing every possible scenario and then the computer calculates the one with the best outcome in any point in time, based on what is going on. For example: you are driving to a jobsite.  You make 100’s of driving decisions as you go:  turn on signal light, left/right, change lanes, pass a slow car, or whatever – its all decisions.  This is the same as using a computer to make the best choices based on the ever-changing circumstances, timing and scenarios.  Think of it like Google maps changing your route based on new information about an accident that it just received.

Real-World Applications: AI is changing industries with practical applications like self-driving cars, robotics, predictive analytics in finance, diagnostic imaging (like identifying breast cancer in mammography screenings), self checkouts based automatically on what you took off the shelf, and now it is exploding in the world of marketing (do you fit some profile for sales targeting, or for a job – what data about you is online??). Imagine a list of everyone in the country and you want to narrow that down to everyone who bought a car and filled it with gas over 1,000 times… so you could target them with new tires commercials.  That list would take you years, but it would take a computer only minutes (including finding their email addresses and sending them personalized notes).  Use cases are almost endless … In the not-so-distant future we may figure out that we do not even need humans to colonize Mars! 

AI has the power to eliminate manual repetitive jobs that may form the basis of many of your safety programs.  Like automating delivery (no drivers, no lifting, no waiting, no confusion) or in the areas of sorting and cutting (no reaching or hands near blades) or things like warehousing operations (no lifting, no people near equipment or packaging and shipping lines), dangerous work environments, or even in automated food prep that knows your desires and gets you that perfect cup of coffee, late or mochaccino the way you like it at anywhere or anytime, every time.

Conclusion:   AI is learning and growing faster every day.  Now that you understand that AI is a decision maker based on the input it receives, you can understand how it could continuously calculate for the best outcomes.  The AI industry is gathering reams of data history to train and test their AI programs, so that these AI programs can make ever better decisions.  If AI can make decisions and drive a car for you, where could you use that in your business and safety programs?  What are the mundane repetitive or dangerous tasks that you currently ask your employees to do? A robot could weld pipe from the inside underwater, or mine for gold deep underground in narrow tunnels without oxygen in the dark 24/7, etc.    

The Plug - Maybe the best way to start is by getting started on the digital bandwagon.  Reduce your time, paperwork and stress by considering Workhub’s simple, all-inclusive $4 per user per month Compliance management software.  customer support team is always available to help and its always free to book a demo at www.Workhub.com.

This is the second article of a five-part series on Safely mixing real intelligence with artificial intelligence. You can find the rest of the series at our website under “blog”.

Part 1: Introduction to AI in Safety

Part 2: How AI Works in Safety

Part 3: Ethical Considerations in AI, not just in Safety

Part 4: AI in the Workplace Safety Program

Part 5: The Future of AI in Safety