Orlando – Artificial intelligence is the dominant topic at the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) annual meeting. One of the first sessions on Tuesday’s opening morning focused on AI and was SRO with more than 300 attendees packed in seats and lining the room’s walls.

AI vendors are everywhere on the expo floor, and AI educational sessions form the conference’s main theme. One attendee likened AI’s presence to the “wild west” with no rules or standards, and another said she was talking to a dozen AI vendors. Overall, the EHS landscape is currently marked by interest, curiosity, some fear, and a serious need for more education.

John Dony, CEO of the What Works Institute, places EHS programs in one of four stages of AI exploration: 1) “uncontrolled” ad hoc uses with no policy oversight or long-term strategy; 2) “policed” applications often narrow in scope and in line with larger organizational policies; 3) “focused” AI use, often for risk analysis and data queries, conducted under disciplined corporate policies; and 4) ultimate AI adoption with AI performing upwards of 60% of safety functions. It’s a level no one has reached, Dony believes.

As EHS pros learn more about AI, look for an increase in policed and focused applications. Right now, the AI maturity curve in EHS is still in the early stages.