Technological developments, including artificial intelligence (AI), offer many opportunities for better products, services, and more efficient work processes. Many organizations are therefore developing new applications around existing AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. It provides workers with opportunities for more challenging work and allows for personal development. Many routine and administrative tasks can be automated by AI. There are also risks as work becomes more difficult and mentally taxing. This is concluded by RIVM and TNO based on an exploratory study into the effects of technological developments on working conditions.
A lot of impact expected, but also much uncertainty
The Technology Radar Healthy & Safe Working makes an assessment of the consequences of future technological developments for health and safety at work. New technologies are expected to have a significant impact on the content of work and the working conditions of employees. In particular, AI is causing significant changes in many sectors and workplaces. TNO and RIVM see both opportunities and risks, and at the same time, much remains uncertain.
Lighter work and safer workplaces
The greatest advantages of future technologies are expected in the area of physical strain and safety. Robots can take over heavy and dangerous work, and sensors can alert to exposure to harmful substances. Many new machines, processes, and materials are also becoming safer by considering potential hazards in the design (‘safe-by-design’). Extended reality and virtual environments offer benefits by providing instructions and training that support workers. AI tools can process large amounts of data and provide workers with better information. This allows workers to work more independently (autonomy).
Increase in mental burden - stress
The downside of the rapid development and implementation of new technologies is an increase in mental burden. Tasks are changing very quickly, and not everyone can keep up. This can lead to stress. Many simple (routine) tasks are being automated, making work more difficult and requiring more attention. AI can increase autonomy, but the opposite can also happen. AI can be used to make decisions and direct workers (in detail), reducing independence.
Incorporate healthy and safe work in the implementation of new technologies
The way an organization implements a technology at work has a significant impact on the opportunities and risks for healthy and safe work. Technologies can contribute to increased productivity and prosperity. The consequences for workers receive less attention and are often only clear after implementation. RIVM and TNO advise early mapping of opportunities and risks and taking them into account during design and implementation. In this, workers, employers, governments, and research organizations should collaborate at (inter)national, sectoral, and organizational levels.
Background
The Technology Radar Healthy & Safe Working is financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and is carried out by TNO and RIVM. For the radar, the main technologies for changing working conditions have been grouped into five clusters: Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, New Materials, and Extended Reality and the Metaverse. Then, based on expert assessments and literature, an estimation was made of the consequences of these technologies for mental burden, physical strain, safety, and exposure to hazardous substances.