Technology and AI: A Growing Focus for Regulatory Oversight

Advanced technologies are rapidly moving from innovation projects into day-to-day operations. Artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, drones, and wearable devices are now commonplace across many sectors, and their use is increasingly intersecting with core health and safety duties. As adoption accelerates, regulatory scrutiny is expected to increase accordingly.

The HSE is likely to focus on how organisations implement automation safely, with particular attention on human-machine interaction. Poorly designed interfaces, unclear decision-making boundaries, or inadequate supervision can introduce new risks rather than eliminate existing ones. Employers will be expected to demonstrate that technological controls are supported by clear procedures, competent oversight, and effective training.

Data protection and monitoring ethics will also attract closer attention, particularly where wearable technology is used to track fatigue, location, or performance. While such systems can deliver demonstrable safety benefits, organisations must ensure that their use is proportionate, transparent, and aligned with wider employment and data protection obligations.

A further emerging consideration is cybersecurity as a health and safety risk. As safety-critical systems become more connected, the consequences of cyber failure extend beyond data loss. Compromised automation, access controls, or monitoring systems have the potential to create real-world safety incidents, bringing cyber resilience firmly into the health and safety agenda.

Action point: Review risk assessments and training arrangements to ensure they explicitly address the introduction of AI, automation, and connected technologies. Governance frameworks should clearly define accountability for both operational safety and data oversight, ensuring technological innovation enhances, rather than undermines, risk control.