As industries embrace digital transformation, the psychological aspects of safety become
increasingly complex. The integration of advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence,
automation, and big data analytics—fundamentally alters how individuals and teams interact with
safety-critical systems. In this context, I will address the psychology of safety in the Digital Era,
focusing on how these technological advancements influence human behavior, decision-making,
and risk perception.
While digital tools offer tremendous potential to enhance safety by improving monitoring, analysis,
and predictive capabilities, they also introduce new psychological challenges. Automation, for
instance, can lead to complacency, over-reliance, and reduced situational awareness, while the
sheer volume of data available may cause cognitive overload, affecting effective decision-making.
Moreover, the dynamics of traditional safety cultures are shifting in the digital era, necessitating
new approaches to mental well-being and the integration of human factors.
In this discussion, I will outline how digital tools can be leveraged to manage these psychological
risks and enhance safety performance. By focusing on strategies such as designing user-centered
technologies, building a resilient safety culture, and promoting psychological safety in digitally-
driven workplaces, I will highlight how technology can be both a solution and a challenge in the
safety domain. Ultimately, I will stress the importance of viewing AI and emerging technologies
as partners, rather than becoming overly dependent on them.