SafetyTech News | Issue 041

Welcome to SafetyTech News Issue 041 - I'm your ed. Cam Stevens . It's end of financial year and we are half way through 2024 so I'm going to mix up the format for this issue and kick off with a bit of reflection and some forecasting what's to come for the rest of the year. I'll finish with news from the last couple of weeks. Let's get started.

Reflecting on the first half of 2024

The SafetyTech landscape has seen decent advancements and growing adoption of AI-driven solutions. Large Language Models (LLMs) have firmly established their place, with new kids on the block ChatSafetyAI, SoterGenius, and SafetyGPT coming to life this year. These innovations are demonstrating targeted potential* of generative AI in enhancing workplace safety, while established pioneers like Saifety.ai who've been working on this for a long while now have continued to refine their solutions, leveraging more nuanced models for even greater impact. This period has also witnessed enterprise safety teams experimenting with M365 Copilot, marking the beginning of a (slow?) journey towards more imaginative and effective use cases in the future.

*Check out my thoughts on application of these models in different legislative contexts here.

Computer vision technology experimentation remains robust, though its success stories on mobile platforms have been somewhat limited, primarily thriving in ergonomic risk management and a couple of pioneering mobile collision avoidance systems.

One of the critical insights gained from the AI experimentation in 2024 is the realisation that quality health and safety data is mandatory for predictive analytics. This echoes the longstanding understanding in the maintenance sector, who know that robust, quality data is essential for prediction and prevention rather than reaction.

As we move towards process automation in safety, the integrity of data remains paramount. The emergence of multimodal generative AI systems has highlighted the value of integrating video, voice, and sensor data, gradually shifting the reliance away from traditional checklists.

With this focus on quality data, the stage is set for accelerated advancements in the latter half of 2024, promising a future where safety innovation continues to thrive.... at least for those curious and courageous enough to do something different than their current status quo...

Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024

The World Economic Forum have released their latest report on the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024- key innovations poised to transform various sectors, including workplace health and safety. The ten technologies are:

1. AI for Scientific Discovery: Leveraging advanced AI to accelerate research and discovery processes.
2. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies: Using synthetic data and homomorphic encryption to securely share and utilise sensitive data.
3. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Enhancing wireless communication efficiency with smart surfaces.
4. High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS): Providing stable, long-term connectivity from the stratosphere.
5. Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): Combining sensing and communication in a single system for efficient data collection and transmission.
6. Immersive Technology for the Built World: Utilizing AR, VR, and digital twins to improve design accuracy, safety, and sustainability in construction.
7. Elastocalorics: Offering energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions.
8. Carbon-Capturing Microbes: Using engineered microorganisms to convert CO2 emissions into valuable products.
9. Alternative Livestock Feeds: Providing sustainable animal feeds from insects, single-cell proteins, algae, and food waste.
10. Genomics for Transplants: Advancing gene-editing techniques to address organ shortages.

Health and safety leaders should prioritise reviewing these emerging technologies at a high level to understand their potential impacts and opportunities to enhance workplace safety and health outcomes. I'd suggest starting with these:

• Immersive Technology for the Built World: Explore AR, VR, and digital twins to enhance safety training, hazard identification, and real-time monitoring of construction sites.
• AI for Scientific Discovery: Utilise AI to improve predictive analytics , risk assessment, and the development of new safety protocols. Remember, data quality first otherwise this is a very bumpy road.
• Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): Review opportunities to enable real-time risk management and enhance communication systems within the workplace.
• Privacy-Enhancing Technologies: Ensure secure handling of health data through synthetic data and homomorphic encryption, facilitating better health monitoring and compliance with privacy laws.

Review the report in detail here:

What to expect in the second half of 2024

Predicting the future is always challenging, so consider these insights as more of a recommendation for health and safety leaders in the latter half of 2024. As we navigate a more conservative economic climate, it's a great time to re-evaluate the structure and function of your health and safety team. Applying a service design lens can significantly improve customer service for those you serve within your organisation. This approach will help uncover opportunities for automation and necessary team restructuring to drive success.

Focusing on service design will also help determine the technology tools, including AI, that are essential for your success. Moreover, it will highlight the critical relationships that need strengthening, particularly the synergy between technology teams and safety teams, emphasising that these two service functions are better together. Identifying the necessary competencies, knowledge, and skills to thrive in this evolving landscape will be paramount.

To be effective, it is essential to prioritise safety effort based on value and the criticality of risks. A solid understanding of data needs is foundational to demonstrate this value and support critical risk management. These elements form the foundation of a robust digital safety strategy. As we progress through the second half of the year, having a well-defined digital safety strategy will be critical, if not mandatory, to weather the economic storm and set the stage to thrive in 2025.

Here's one prediction though - we will see more Apple ecosystem-related applications for health and safety in the late part of 2024, setting the scene for 2025, leveraging Apple Intelligence, Apple Watch, Vision Pro and iPads/iPhones; they will leverage smaller LL models give on devices that will provide Apple superior control over the AI use on their systems and offload a chunk of the heavy compute to laptops and desktops.

So those were my reflections and predictions... but before we move on, let's get a second opinion. Charter (one of my favourite blogs) checked in with top executives and thinkers about the macro trends that should be on the minds of workplace leaders for the second half of the year - learn what they said here

"among the trends they highlight are the turbulence of the election year, job uncertainty related to AI, pushback against diversity and inclusion initiatives, and a cooling but resilient job market. But several noted that they’re optimistic despite the intensity of the forces pressuring workplaces and workers, seeing the opportunity to lead through those strains with “grace and strength,” as Medley’s Edith Cooper puts it"

Okay... moving on to regular news.

Directors' Guide to AI Governance | AICD

The AICD has recently released a few great materials for Directors to get up to speed with AI governance - they have a guide, a summary and a checklist and they are worth checking out no matter where you are in the world. Access the guide and supporting materials here:

The crucial role of generative AI in enhancing workplace safety: A comprehensive analysis

Dr. Mike Goetsch from Soter provides an overview of genAI for EHS for ISHN Magazine

Austmine Webinar | Digital Mastery

Austmine has a fabulous webinar incoming on the 1st day of the new financial year... Digital Mastery | Integrating & Elevating Mining Through Tech & IoT featuring Rhonda B. from Envirosuite , Steven Harding from Optrix , Matthew Craft fro Orica Digital Solutions and Liam Scanlan from HINDSITE Industries - Register here:

On the topic of webinars...

Verdantix Webinar | Leveraging AI Video Analytics For EHS Risk Management

Join analyst April Choy as she explores

• The different use cases for video analytics and the key players in the market
• Best practices for adapting and integrating video analytics into existing operations
• Key considerations to inform your vendor selection process and purchasing decisions

Sign up here:

Universal Field Robots | Open Night | Brisbane

Universal Field Robots is hosting an open night at their Eagle Farm facility. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gVp7MecD If you are in Brissie you should check this out - sorry interstate and international folks! Remember, if you are hosting an event anywhere in the world, be sure to send Cam Stevens a DM to have it featured.

NSC Work to Zero SafetyTech Reports

The National Safety Council has been very busy developing some fabulous reports in the SafetyTech space and also in the musculoskeletal risk management space. You can check them out via the link below the image.

The FAIR | I'm Speaking

Very pleased to announce that I'm speaking on a panel at The FAIR - Festival of AI + Robotics in September alongside an awesome bunch of pioneers and curious minds... on a fabulous topic. You can learn more about The FAIR and register here.

That's it for this issue...

See you next time but for now.

Be Safe & Stay Curious.

'Cam Stevens