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EU-OSHA media partner PuntoSicuro analyses worker management through AI, the current priority area of the 2023-25 Healthy Workplaces Campaign 'Safe and healthy work in the digital age' in an interview with Dr. Curtarelli, EU-OSHA Senior Research Project Manager. It highlights both the benefits and risks of A worker management system where simple (i.e. without ‘intelligence’) algorithms and digital technologies (e.g. worker-monitoring devices, computers or face recognition software) are used to manage workers in an automated or semi-automated manner. It provides the means to automate a large number of worker management tasks (e.g. schedule-making, shift- making and worker monitoring through wearable devices). AI-based worker management involves the intelligence simulation necessary to deal with uncertainty (e.g. providing different outputs based on changes in the environment), whereas algorithmic management is deterministic in nature (i.e. it always provides the same output, given the same input). , emphasising the need for transparency and ethical oversight.

A worker management system where simple (i.e. without ‘intelligence’) algorithms and digital technologies (e.g. worker-monitoring devices, computers or face recognition software) are used to manage workers in an automated or semi-automated manner. It provides the means to automate a large number of worker management tasks (e.g. schedule-making, shift- making and worker monitoring through wearable devices). AI-based worker management involves the intelligence simulation necessary to deal with uncertainty (e.g. providing different outputs based on changes in the environment), whereas algorithmic management is deterministic in nature (i.e. it always provides the same output, given the same input). , as Dr. Curtarelli explains, refers to the use of AI-powered systems to assign tasks, monitor worker performance, and optimise workflows. He references data from the ESENER survey, which shows that 12% of EU companies use technology to determine work content or pace, and 8% use it to supervise performance. These figures vary across countries, with some using the technology more than others.

Dr. Curtarelli acknowledges the benefits of AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). -driven management systems, which can help businesses allocate resources more effectively, improve productivity, and even contribute to safer work environments. However, he also warns of risks such as excessive surveillance resulting in reduced worker autonomy, isolation, and increased stress due to continuous monitoring and algorithmic evaluations.

Regulatory frameworks are evolving to address these challenges. Dr. Curtarelli highlights Spain’s introduction of Algorithmic transparency is the principle that the factors that influence the functioning of algorithms and the results they produce should be visible, or transparent, to employers, policy-makers and workers, who use, regulate, and are affected by the systems that employ those algorithms. The involvement of staff representatives is essential to build workers’ trust in the systems. for platform work, now adopted in the EU’s platform work directive. The EU’s AI Act also restricts harmful AI uses, such as automatic dismissals based on algorithms. At the same time, legislation alone will not automatically solve the issue, according to Dr. Curtarelli, who points to the importance of ongoing awareness-raising and high-level discussions to ensure all parties understand the impact of such technology.

Dr. Curtarelli also underlines the need to adopt a human-centred approach, where AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). supports and not replaces human decision-making, with transparency, worker participation, and risk assessments playing a crucial role.

The full interview in Italian can be accessed on PuntoSicuro’s website, and can also be watched  on YouTube.