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THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF AI ON WORKPLACE
SAFETY, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK
EL IMPACTO GLOBAL DE LA IA EN LA SEGURIDAD EN
EL TRABAJO, OPORTUNIDADES Y DESAFÍOS PARA EL
FUTURO DEL TRABAJO
Herminio Pabón Trujillo
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Colombia
Juan Carlos Castillo
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Colombia
Angie Dayana Rangel
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Colombia
Oscar Fabián Patiño
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Colombia
Ronald Edinxon Angarita Bautista
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Colombia
Jenny Zulay Cáceres Cárdenas
Universidad de Pamplona, Colombia
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v9i2.17476
The Global Impact of AI on Workplace Safety, Opportunities and
Challenges for the Future of Work
Herminio Pabón Trujillo1
herminio.pabon.t@uniminuto.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5636-4813
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios
Colombia-Cúcuta
Juan Carlos Castillo
Juan.castillo-h@uniminuto.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7011-537X
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios
Colombia-Cúcuta
Angie Dayana Rangel
Angie.rangel-p@uniminuto.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2583-292X
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios
Colombia-Cúcuta
Oscar Fabián Patiño
oscar.patino-m@uniminuto.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0185-8737
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios
Colombia-Cúcuta
Ronald Edinxon Angarita Bautista
Ronald.angarita@uniminuto.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8835-8935
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios
Colombia-Cúcuta
Jenny Zulay Cáceres Cárdenas
Jenny.caceres@unipamplona.edu.co
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1737-1485
Universidad de Pamplona
Colombia-Cúcuta
1
Autor principal
Correspondencia: herminio.pabon.t@uniminuto.edu.co
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ABSTRACT
Introduction: The arrival of technology, over the years, has had a very significant advance, so much so
that it is transforming the work environment at an accelerated pace, generating both enthusiasm and
concern in companies, workers and governments around the planet. The implementation of automated
processes, operational streamlining, and the potential of intelligent platforms to learn and make
decisions without human intervention are revolutionizing entire industries, from manufacturing to
services, healthcare, and education. However, this technological advance presents a complex scenario:
while AI promises to improve productivity, create new jobs and raise the quality of work, it also poses
significant challenges, such as job displacement, the need for professional retraining and the increase in
labor inequality. To examine the use of smart technology applications in the mitigation of union
fatalities, the strengthening of the physical and emotional well-being of personnel and the optimization
of safety processes in different sectors Methodology: The methodology adopted consists of a rigorous
bibliographic review that covers a documentary period of five years ago. Reliable documentary sources
will be consulted using relevant keywords in both Spanish and other languages to ensure a broad and
internationalized view of the topic. Results: The deployment of autonomous solutions in occupational
safety platforms has allowed companies to reduce workplace accidents by up to 30%, this has been
possible thanks to the potential of AI to interpret and analyze risk patterns immediately and anticipate
dangerous situations before they occur, in the same way AI not only optimizes physical safety, but also
but also favors a transformation in organizational culture, encouraging greater proactivity in strategic
choice and making it easier for the workforce to focus on tasks of greater relevance within a safer and
healthier environment.
Keywords: artificial intelligence, automation, worker well-being, operational efficiency, future of work
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El Impacto Global de la IA en la Seguridad en el Trabajo, Oportunidades y
Desafíos para el Futuro del Trabajo
RESUMEN
Introducción: La llegada de la tecnología, a lo largo de los años, ha tenido un avance muy significativo,
tanto así que está transformando el entorno laboral a un ritmo acelerado, generando tanto entusiasmo
como preocupación en empresas, trabajadores y gobiernos de todo el planeta. La implementación de
procesos automatizados, la optimización operativa y el potencial de las plataformas inteligentes para
aprender y tomar decisiones sin intervención humana están revolucionando industrias enteras, desde la
fabricación hasta los servicios, la atención médica y la educación. Sin embargo, este avance tecnológico
presenta un escenario complejo: si bien la IA promete mejorar la productividad, crear nuevos empleos
y elevar la calidad del trabajo, también plantea desafíos significativos, como el desplazamiento laboral,
la necesidad de recapacitación y el aumento de la desigualdad laboral. Examinar el uso de aplicaciones
de tecnología inteligente en la mitigación de muertes sindicales, el fortalecimiento del bienestar físico y
emocional del personal y la optimización de los procesos de seguridad en diferentes sectores
Metodología: La metodología adoptada consiste en una rigurosa revisión de la literatura que abarca un
período documental de cinco años atrás. Se consultarán fuentes documentales fiables utilizando palabras
clave relevantes tanto en español como en otros idiomas para asegurar una visión amplia e
internacionalizada del tema. Resultados: El despliegue de soluciones autónomas en plataformas de
seguridad ocupacional ha permitido a las empresas reducir los accidentes laborales hasta en un 30%,
esto ha sido posible gracias al potencial de la IA para interpretar y analizar patrones de riesgo de manera
inmediata y anticiparse a situaciones peligrosas antes de que ocurran, de igual manera la IA no solo
optimiza la seguridad física, sino que también favorece una transformación en la cultura organizacional,
fomentando una mayor proactividad en la elección estratégica y facilitando que la fuerza laboral se
concentre en tareas de mayor relevancia dentro de un entorno más seguro y saludable.
Palabras clave: inteligencia artificial, automatización, bienestar de los trabajadores, eficiencia
operativa, futuro del trabajo
Artículo recibido: 11 marzo 2025
Aceptado para publicación: 15 abril 2025
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INTRODUCTION
Smart technologies are generating a profound and accelerated change in occupational safety at a global
level, opening a range of opportunities and challenges for the future of work. Its ability to automate
demanding tasks, process large amounts of data for real-time analysis and anticipate risks, optimize
protection and take care of integrity in workspaces, allowing the prevention of work accidents, the
optimization of processes and the creation of reliable and efficient environments. More and more
companies and human resources departments are adopting AI-based solutions, from cobots and smart
devices, as well as control and projective evaluation systems, which are favorable to the protection of
employees and in the same way expand employment opportunities for the elderly or people with
disabilities.
However, this technological advancement also involves significant risks and challenges. These include
the displacement of jobs due to automation, the intensification of tasks, the need for continuous training
and the emergence of new psychosocial and ethical challenges. 36% of workers fear that their job will
be replaced by AI and 86% recognize that they must acquire and develop new skills that allow them to
face this changing environment.
In this scenario of constant change, it is essential to study the consequences of how cognitive technology
is influencing the protection and stability of employment worldwide, identifying both the advantages
and the threats it represents with the aim of enriching the living conditions of employees and ensuring
the permanence of companies over time. This article explores how AI is redefining traditional
approaches to labour protection, the potential benefits it offers and the challenges it poses for the future
of employment on a global scale.
Background
From its origins in the 1950s, smart technology has undergone a remarkable development process, when
systems were based on simple rules, to become a transversal technology that impacts all productive
sectors and redefines safety at work globally. In its beginnings, AI was mainly applied in automation
and monitoring tasks, such as pioneering surveillance and management platforms during the 1970s,
which laid the foundations for its integration into industrial and labor environments.
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Over the last few decades, digitalization and the progress of AI have driven the generation of
technological tools, capable of analyzing massive data instantaneously, anticipating risks and optimizing
the administration of occupational safety systems. Leading companies in productive fields such as
infrastructure, manufacturing and energy have implemented AI-based solutions – such as smart sensors,
drones and predictive systems – that have proven to significantly reduce accidents and strengthen
decision-making capacity in terms of prevention. For example, companies such as Siemens and Bechtel
have reported decreases of up to 40% in workplace incidents following the adoption of smart
technologies.
Despite this, integrating AI into occupational safety is not exempt from complications and challenges.
Cultural barriers and continuous learning requirements, ethical considerations in the processing of
information are key issues that agencies must address in order to safeguard the appropriate and efficient
use of these digital solutions. In addition, AI is transforming the labour market, not only by replacing
repetitive tasks, but also by creating new roles and skills, for which it requires continuous training and
the acquisition of skills by staff and the adaptation of public and business policies.
In this way, technology takes center stage as a fundamental catalyst for the evolution of occupational
safety, offering opportunities to anticipate and mitigate risks, but also posing challenges in terms of
inclusion, training and sustainability of employment in the digital age, it is worth noting that the
incorporation and use of artificial intelligence for the protection of workspaces applied as a result of a
technological evolution that has transformed risk management into the workplace. Traditionally,
accident prevention relied on reactive methods and human expertise, limiting the ability to anticipate
hazards and respond efficiently to critical situations. However, the advent of cutting-edge tools such as
big data, the network of interconnected devices, and AI has allowed companies to collect, analyze, and
use real-time information on a large scale to find risk correlation and anticipate incidents.
Over the past decade, leading companies in the industrial, energy, and construction sectors have adopted
AI-based solutions to monitor working conditions, automate hazard detection, and customize risk
prevention to each worker's needs. Examples such as Siemens, Shell and BP demonstrate how AI,
combined with intelligent sensors and predictive analytics, has managed to achieve a reduction in
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workplace accidents with a percentage between 20% and 40%, also optimizing operating costs and
reinforcing commitment to internal safety.
The progress of AI has made it possible to move from reactive models to predictive and adaptive
systems, where continuous monitoring, processing data from historical operations and automating risk
assessment processes have become common practices in organizations with an innovative approach. In
the civil works industry, they show how artificial intelligence can anticipate dangerous situations, send
immediate alerts and personalize the protection of workers in highly dangerous environments.
This background shows that the successful fusion of AI with occupational safety protocols not only
reduces the accident rate, but also drives a cultural and organizational transformation towards proactive
prevention, informed decision-making processes and the development of safer and more efficient work
environments
METHODOLOGY
This thoughtful article was developed through an exhaustive systematic review of international
documentation. Various reliable sources were consulted, including sites, specialized journals, the
generation of digital libraries such as Google Scholar, SciELO and Apache Cassandra as well as
institutional repositories.
During the search process, strategic keywords such as Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Worker Well-
being, Operational Efficiency, Future of Work were defined, which were essential to collect relevant
information on the topic to be discussed.
To broaden news coverage and access a greater volume of data relevant to the study, a language
combination was used, including Spanish, English. The scientific papers found in English were
translated to ensure an accurate interpretation of the collected content.
This thoughtful methodological approach of the paper allows us to gain insight into the effect that AI
has internationally on job safety, opportunities and challenges for the future of work.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Intelligent systems are revolutionizing safe conditions at work by enabling the identification and
proactive prevention of risks through the massive study of information in real time. Recognized
companies such as Turner Construction have implemented predictive algorithms that analyze historical
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data and current conditions in workplaces, managing to reduce their rates of workplace accidents and
25% of incidents. These systems can detect risk patterns that might go unnoticed by the human eye and
generate early warnings, allowing supervisors to anticipate dangerous situations.
Figure. 1 Reduction of Workplace Accidents and Incidents with AI Implementation
Source: Pabon, H. (2025)
This tool is also supported by smart sensors and analysis platforms that continuously monitor the work
environment, identifying anomalies, dangerous conditions or unsafe behaviors. This technology not only
contributes to safety but also increases performance and cuts costs related to injuries and downtime,
facilitates the personalization of risk prevention, adapting the measures to the particularities of each
worker and those of the work environment.
In the field of prevention, tangible achievements are being demonstrated in the minimization of
accidents at work and in the optimization of safety policies, consolidating itself as a key tool for the
future of safe and efficient work.
Exactly, this automation is not limited to taking care only of the physical well-being of personnel by
reducing their direct exposure to risks but also increases performance and reliability in the performance
of critical activities. By delegating repetitive and dangerous activities to intelligent systems and robots,
human errors are minimized, and constant monitoring of working conditions is ensured. This translates
into increased productivity, fewer interruptions due to accidents or incidents, and a more protected and
reliable professional space for each of the employees. In addition, it allows workers to concentrate on
40%
25%
Reduction of work Accidents and Incidents
with the Implementation of AI
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functions with greater added value, favoring their professional development and the sustainable growth
of the organization.
Artificial intelligence tools, such as smart sensors and cameras equipped with computer vision
algorithms, enable continuous monitoring of the work environment, ensuring compliance with safety
regulations and facilitating rapid response to incidents. These technologies use immediate information
processing to identify hazardous conditions, unsafe behaviors, or process deviations, allowing
organizations to intervene proactively and reduce risks. In addition, AI in these systems minimizes
human bias and improves accuracy in incident detection, contributing to safer and more efficient work
environments.
This has improved operational efficiency by up to 30%, by optimizing prevention processes, automating
the generation of reports and audits, and reducing costs associated with accidents and downtime. Thanks
to this advance, companies can detect and address risks with greater speed and accuracy, so that the
frequency of incidents decreases and allows a more agile management of resources. On the other hand,
the automation of administrative functions results in staff dedicating themselves to planning and
decision-making actions, increasing productivity levels and contributing to the sustainability and
competitiveness of the organization.
This technological advance is facilitating the personalization of security strategies, adapting preventive
measures according to the characteristics of each industry, work environment and even each worker. AI
algorithms can analyze individual data, such as health status, skills, and working conditions, to design
risk prevention programs tailored to the characteristics of each employee and job
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Figure 2. AI algorithms
Source: Pabon, H. (2025)
Personalization also extends to training, as it facilitates individualized training through simulations and
virtual environments adapted to the specific risks faced by each worker. Likewise, smart devices such
as helmets and sensors are equipped where they monitor environmental conditions and warn employees
of imminent dangers, providing personalized protection in real time. In summary, this tool not only
strengthens operability and preventive management, but also promotes dynamic safety strategies that
adapt to the specific needs of each industry, environment and person, promoting work environments
with better safety and well-being standards.
Although it offers clear benefits in reducing workplace accidents, advancing employee health
effectiveness and satisfaction, its adoption must overcome significant challenges. One of them is the
high initial investment required to obtain, integrate and maintain advanced technologies, which may be
inaccessible to emerging companies (SMEs).
Effectiveness is based on the existence of data systems for access and functioning correctly.
Organizations that do not have robust data collection and management systems in place may find it
difficult to implement solutions. The lack of digital equipment, the lack of training of human resources
and the internal rejection of transformation can slow down the implementation of these tools. Therefore,
while it has an opportunity to renew job security, it is critical to address these challenges through
supportive policies, incentives for digitalization and training strategies that allow companies of all sizes
to benefit from its advantages.
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There are relevant ethical and social concerns in the application and use of changing technologies in the
occupational context, among which are employee privacy, possible bias in algorithms and the
management of sensitive data. Privacy is one of the main challenges, as the use of AI involves collecting
and analyzing abundant confidential and work information, which requires high security standards and
clear policies on the use and access to this data. Leaks or misuse of information could lead to significant
risks for both employees and organizations.
Responsible management of sensitive data requires the implementation of ethical frameworks,
accountability in operating mechanisms, processing, and review to correct errors or negative impacts on
employees. The International Labour Organization (ILO) and organizations such as UNESCO underline
the need to establish modern regulations adapted to the digital age, ensuring honesty, fair treatment and
protection of privacy in the implementation of AI systems.
Automation and digitalization are generating a substantial change in professional profiles, generating
both opportunities in emerging areas and risks of job displacement. This advance has driven the search
for technical profiles with skills in software development, data processing, technological projects, while
positions of medium qualification and routine tasks are the most susceptible to being automated or
digitized
Even though automation may eliminate certain jobs, it is also creating new positions in technology
sectors, maintaining automated systems, and managing consumer interaction. This transformation
requires workers to be proactive in their professional development and upskilling, as 45% of employees
fear losing their jobs due to AI, underscoring the value of the need to continuously learn and reform
skills to adjust to current demands in the occupational field.
Continuing education and specialized training have become fundamental pillars to ensure the
employability and competitiveness of both workers and companies in the digital age. Online training
spaces, micro-training content and electronic credentials facilitate access to knowledge and enable
employees to adjust to the constant changes in the professional sector. In this context, investing in
training and strengthening a lifelong learning vision are essential tactics to harness digitalization and
control its negative effects.
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This makes it possible to promote new ways of working, such as teleworking and the management of
distributed teams, which poses additional challenges in coordination, administration and occupational
safety. While these modalities offer advantages such as greater flexibility, cost reduction and access to
global talent, they also bring with them specific challenges such as the lack of face-to-face supervision
which makes it difficult to have direct control over working conditions, which can increase workload,
psychological distress and compromise the preventive action of security departments. Remote work can
increase loneliness, anxiety, and the lack of separation between professional and private, affecting the
mental balance of employees. Many remote employees use non-functional spaces, which impact bodily
health, such as muscle aches, eye strain, and burnout. Remote work can expose employees to greater
risks of cyberattacks and cyber threats, as they do not always have secure networks or robust information
protection protocols in place. AI facilitates the coordination and monitoring of distributed teams through
tools that organize tasks, analyze performance, and personalize training and well-being, but it requires
resilient management strategies adapted to the new digital reality.
Artificial intelligence symbolizes a disruptive opportunity aimed at optimizing occupational safety
criteria, by allowing proactive action in the anticipation of risks thanks to the instantaneous processing
of information, the automation of dangerous tasks and the personalization of preventive strategies.
Companies from various sectors are already using systems to ensure that safety guidelines are followed,
identify risk patterns and significantly minimize the rate of unwanted accident events, in addition,
revolutionizing the development and training of personnel through simulations and adapted content,
which improves knowledge retention and preparation for critical situations.
However, maximizing these benefits requires a balanced strategy that integrates innovative technology,
continuous training, and inclusive policies. The incorporation of technological methods in safety within
the occupational field introduces barriers such as the investment required for its implementation, the
importance of having quality data, the safeguarding of personal data, and the ethical management of
information8. Likewise, it is essential to invest in training and adaptation of workers to avoid labor
displacement and ensure that all groups, including the most vulnerable, benefit from these advances,
which are capable of profoundly changing the parameters of defense and well-being in the union
environment, but their positive impact will only be sustainable if it is accompanied by strategies that
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promote human-machine collaboration. the permanent updating of skills and the creation of fair and
accessible work environments for all.
Figure 3. Challenges in the implementation of artificial intelligence in companies
Source: Pabon, H. (2025)
CONCLUSIONS
Delegating hazardous actions to automated systems gives staff the ability to contribute in more
meaningful complex areas, freeing up time for more impactful and creative activities, contributing to
safer and healthier work environments. In addition, global productivity is expected to increase, with
annual growth estimates of between 0.2% and 3.3% thanks to the adoption of AI.
According to the World Economic Forum, it estimates that by 2025 it will have displaced 75 million
jobs, but created 133 million new ones, which is a net gain, although with significant transition
challenges for the affected workers, around 50% of employees will need to develop new skills to adjust
to the transformations, it represents a historic opportunity to improve occupational integrity, Productive
capacity and the value of work, however, demand detailed control over critical aspects of job
displacement, inequality and ethical dilemmas. The future of work will depend on the willingness of
employees to evolve and the implementation of policies that guarantee equitable and protected change
for the workforce. On the other hand, gaps in digital infrastructure, access to the internet and electricity,
and the lack of technological skills are barriers that limit the use of artificial intelligence AI.
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