Employees demand genuine participation

Given the growing use of AI in the petroleum sector, vice president Lill-Heidi Bakkerud at Styrke expects the companies to secure expertise, involve their employees in key decision-making processes and ensure genuine participation.

What do you think of “Artificial intelligence is also a risk factor” as a main issue?

This is highly relevant for raising awareness about what AI really involves and its possible downsides. 

How can the industry best balance the benefits of AI against its potential risk?

This is a matter of securing expertise about the nature of AI and where it might lead before adopting it. Decision makers and those involved before green lights are given must have the necessary knowledge. This isn’t something you just leave to the IT department. 

Norway’s performance-based regulatory regime presupposes genuine participation and involvement from those with a broad-based understanding of the possible consequences of decisions. Participation is essential if we’re to ensure prudent use of AI in our industry’s operations. 

What expectations do you have of AI use in the companies, particularly with regard to safety-related operations?

I expect them to take the need for knowledge at every level seriously, and to involve all parties. 

What do you see as the most important steps the companies must take to ensure prudent use of AI?

They must stipulate strict conditions based on detailed risk assessments of what AI can be used for, ensure expertise about this in all process stages and involve the operative management.