FEATURE AI AT WORK
Paul Rapuano, Global Strategic Partnerships Manager at workplace safety software company Rapid Global, explores the health and safety opportunities that AI and digitalisation present.
Recent independent research we commissioned reveals a disconnect between how managers and frontline workers view the potential of digitalisation and AI in creating safer, more compliant and more ef ficient workplaces. Could the UK be at a safety crossroads?
On one hand, the research reveals a growing managerial confidence in digitalisation, with more than a third (36%) of managers believing AI will play a key role in reducing workplace risks. Almost half (47%) say their organisation is ready to adopt AI in safety processes, and nearly a third (32%) report it is already in use.
Yet the view from the frontline is different. Just 16% of workers believe AI can reduce safety risks, and the same low figure feel their organisation is ready for adoption. Only 8% say they have seen AI in practice. The gap is clear: while leaders recognise technology as an opportunity, many workers simply don’t see it happening, or don’t believe in its benefits yet.
OLD HABITS VERSUS NEW TECHNOLOGY
The divide reflects a broader reluctance or difficulty in embracing digitalisation. While 68% of managers agree that a unified workplace safety system would improve compliance, nearly one in four workers (24%) report that their organisation still relies heavily on paper-based processes for inductions, sign-ins and incident reporting.
Almost a third (29%) of workers cite “old habits” as a barrier to adopting new technology. These everyday behaviours, from manual reporting to inconsistent data capture, act as friction points. If modern tools feel disconnected from real working practices, or too complex, adoption will slow, regardless of potential value.
However, it’s important to note that resistance does not stem from lack of interest. A third (33%) of workers want more education on how AI could improve safety, and nearly a quarter (24%) admit they don’t fully understand what practical role it might play. The desire to learn is present, it just needs structured engagement and leadership support to be realised.
BEYOND THE HYPE: PRACTICAL AI FOR SAFETY
When discussing AI in workplace safety, the focus is on proven technologies such as AI-powered Computer Vision, machine learning and (where appropriate) facial recognition. These tools can help ID-check workers at the gate, identify unsafe behaviours, predict near misses, streamline audits and provide leaders with real- time insight into safety trends and compliance status.
These technologies are designed to support managers, and not replace human expertise. When properly implemented, AI-enabled systems reduce manual workload, improve reporting accuracy and give safety teams more time to focus on proactive risk management. But clear communication is essential: workers need to see how technology helps them carry out their responsibilities more effectively.
CLOSING THE GAP: EDUCATION, PROOF AND PARTICIPATION
To bridge this adoption gap, leaders should focus on three actions:
1. Educate: Provide clarity around what AI and digitalisation mean in the safety context, using tangible examples instead of abstract promises.
2. Prove: Implement pilot projects or proof-of-concept initiatives that demonstrate measurable benefits, such as faster reporting or reduction in near misses.
3. Participate: Involve workers early in the process, encouraging feedback and collaboration. Adoption is strongest when employees act as partners in innovation.
THE FUTURE: DIGITALLY ENABLED, HUMAN-LED SAFETY
Digital systems and AI-enabled platforms are likely to shape the next decade of health and safety performance. However, adoption depends not just on the quality of technology, but on culture, trust and the ability to demonstrate value.
The opportunity is real. The organisations that succeed will be those that connect leadership vision with worker experience, while using digitalisation and AI not as replacements, but as tools that strengthen health and safety outcomes.
The Rapid Global UK Workplace Safety Research Report 2025 is available to download here.
https://rapidglobal.co.uk/lp/workplace-safety-uk-market-research-report/ https://rapidglobal.co.uk
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