GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations’ labor agency is urging governments and businesses to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence and automation technologies in the workplace, warning that while these innovations offer critical safety benefits, they also pose new and unfamiliar risks to workers’ health and well-being.
In a new report released this week, the International Labour Organization (ILO) described the ongoing technological revolution as a potential “way out” of so-called 3D jobs—those that are dirty, dangerous and demeaning. However, the agency cautioned that without responsible implementation, digital tools like AI and robotics could introduce serious threats to workplace safety.
“Digitalization offers immense opportunities to enhance workplace safety,” said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on Occupational and Safety Health Policy at the ILO. “Automation can reduce repetitive tasks, such as in factory production lines or in administrative work, allowing workers to take on more challenging tasks. But for us to fully benefit from these technologies, we must ensure they are implemented without incurring new risks.”
The report highlights how digital systems are already transforming safety protocols across sectors, from logistics and construction to healthcare and even traditionally low-tech industries. Yet the ILO outlined several emerging hazards tied to the use of advanced technologies:
- Human-robot interaction: Injuries can result from robot malfunctions, unpredictable movements or design flaws, particularly in settings where humans and machines work side by side.
- Cybersecurity threats: Increasing connectivity in workplaces can lead to cyberattacks that compromise critical safety systems.
- Ergonomic risks: Wearable devices and exoskeletons, if improperly designed or fitted, may cause strain or injury instead of preventing it.
- Mental health concerns: Algorithm-driven workloads, constant monitoring and digital surveillance may contribute to stress, burnout and other mental health issues.
- Reduced human oversight: Heavy reliance on automation can erode critical human judgment, potentially escalating risk in high-stakes scenarios.
- Supply chain dangers: Workers in tech supply chains—such as miners or e-waste handlers—often face hazardous and poorly regulated conditions.
The ILO is calling for collaborative action among regulators, employers, and tech developers to ensure that workplace innovations are rolled out ethically and equitably, with safety at the forefront of policy and design.
“Technology should make work safer, not more perilous,” Azzi said. “We need a rights-based, preventative approach to the digital transformation of work.”
