(193a) How AI and Machine Learning Can Improve Process Safety Performance

Since 2020, the trending focus in the process automation and safety industry has been Digital Transformation. While this concept has gained traction and a large portion of our industry truly sees the value that can be realized by beginning their digital transformation journey, many of these efforts have fizzled due to the difficulty in harnessing large volumes of data into actionable insights. The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has gained significant attention in recent months. The use of AI and ML algorithms can provide valuable insights into safety hazards and risk mitigation strategies, leading to improved safety performance and reduced accidents in industrial processes.

This paper explores the value of utilizing AI and ML in improving industrial process and functional safety. It discusses how these technologies can be used to identify safety risks, predict potential hazards, and optimize safety measures. Additionally, it explores the benefits of AI and ML in automating safety management tasks and reducing human error.

Overall, this paper highlights the potential of AI and ML in improving industrial process and functional safety and provides an overview of their benefits and limitations. It concludes that the integration of AI and ML into process safety management systems can lead to safer working environments, increased efficiency, improved maintenance procedures and reduced costs.