Unit 2.4 Artificial Intelligence in Work Systems

Artificial Intelligence (AI) encompasses different technologies combining data, algorithms, software and hardware for a broad range of applications. AI is and will remain a major scientific and technological challenge for a long time to come. AI is bringing a mix of continuously evolving, and often disruptive developments to many areas of public life, especially to the workplace and the world of work.

In the context of work, these developments create many open research questions, resulting in opportunities and risks, particularly concerning occupational safety and health (OSH). They are relevant to a large proportion of businesses and their employees, to manufacturers and operators of AI systems and also for market surveillance and supervision authorities of OSH. This applies in particular to high-risk AI systems. If such systems have malfunctions, it is likely to result in far-reaching consequences. As a matter of fact, there are high requirements on safety and reliability for such high-risk AI systems. Besides, these questions of technical safety and reliability, these requirements also include many aspects of organisational and business processes, for instance those associated with the use of generative AI.

The overall goal of the unit on AI in Work Systems is to identify research gaps referring to the use of AI in work systems and to gain fundamental and practical insights in these areas. The unit focuses on conducting research about the interrelationship between IT characteristics of the AI systems in practice, and their application in current and future work systems. Key questions arise in the context of designing trustworthy and safe high-risk AI, and the further development of AI processes and methods from an IT perspective. The group initiates and conducts research activities in related areas. Subsequently, its results are incorporated into policy advice and regulation, e.g. by the unit’s involvement in various expert panels.

Together with other units within the division, the unit generates a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities that AI presents for work systems.

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PD Dr Thea Radüntz

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Unit 2.4 Artificial Intelligence in Work Systems

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