AI Action Summit

AI is set to be a key lever for the industrial sector by :

• Rapidly analyzing massive data sets to speed up decision-making
• Automating processes to improve operational efficiency and resilience
• Detecting equipment failures or breakdowns early to reduce production downtimes, maintenance costs and risks to employees
• Optimizing energy consumption and integrating renewable energy sources to reduce carbon footprints

“However, AI democratization raises several ethical and regulatory concerns, especially in industrial and critical infrastructure sectors,” explains Souheil Sabbagh, Vice-President, Digital Expertise at BBA.

“To use AI ethically, it must align with recent advances, particularly with ESG,” adds Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Director, Digital Consulting, at BBA.

Both experts emphasize that several safeguards are essential for integrating AI into industrial projects:

• Accountability:  AI must be used in ways that uphold corporate accountability
• Health, safety and environment:  AI integration must respect environmental and health and safety standards
• Governance and transparency:  AI must adhere to corporate values and government legislation
• Impact on communities:  AI must benefit local communities, particularly in terms of economic and social outcomes
• Accessibility: AI systems must be audited to address biases and ensure fair access

“Further reflection is needed before AI is fully integrated into operational technologies, particularly regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, workforce skill development and, of course, ethics. To date, human oversight in critical decision-making remains the most reliable way to ensure these issues are managed properly,” concludes Souheil Sabbagh.

What ethical challenges concern you when integrating AI into industrial operations?