Privacy among 'biggest legal issues' says lawyer ahead of summit
"AI isn’t replacing humans—it’s augmenting our capabilities." That’s the key message Holly Hale, legal counsel with Suncor, hopes to drive home during her upcoming panel discussion at the Women in Safety Summit in Calgary on March 4, 2025. Hale will take the stage alongside industry experts to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplace safety, particularly the ethical and legal considerations that come with it.
Hale, who previously participated in the summit when it was held virtually, is eager for the in-person experience this year. “I’m so excited to attend it in person,” she shares. “When I was a panelist a couple of years ago, it was great that the conference continued online despite COVID, but there’s nothing like meeting people face-to-face, networking, and having those real-time discussions.”
AI’s role in safety and the legal challenges
As AI becomes more embedded in workplace safety, Hale sees both opportunities and risks. “Privacy considerations are one of the biggest legal issues,” she explains. “When we’re using AI, especially in safety, we’re dealing with personal and sometimes health-related data. That brings in privacy laws, and companies need to ensure they’re compliant.”
Beyond privacy, Hale highlights a growing concern: AI bias and human rights implications. “There have been reports that some generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, have built-in biases,” she notes. “This raises concerns under human rights legislation, especially when AI is used in recruitment. We’ve seen instances where AI tools unintentionally favor ‘classic white male names,’ filtering out diverse candidates. Organizations need to be very careful about how these systems are programmed.”
Hale’s role on the panel is to ensure health and safety leaders understand these risks. “I don’t think all safety professionals are fully aware of these issues yet,” says Hale. “That’s why discussions like these are so important. Before companies implement AI-driven tools, they need to be aware of the potential for bias and discrimination.”
Future of AI in workplace safety
Looking ahead, Hale is particularly interested in how AI can be leveraged for predictive safety analytics. “I’ve read a lot about AI-driven systems that can predict workplace incidents before they happen,” she says. “To me, that sounds so wild—like nobody has a crystal ball. But these tools are using data trends to anticipate risks, allowing companies to put mitigation measures in place before an incident ever occurs.”
While AI offers immense potential for enhancing workplace safety, Hale acknowledges that regulations have not kept pace with technological advancements. “The laws are very much behind where AI is today,” she points out. “It’s been difficult for courts and policymakers to keep up, which leaves a lot of gray areas for companies trying to implement these tools ethically and legally.”
A celebration of women in safety
Beyond the AI panel, Hale is looking forward to the broader discussions at the summit. “I’m particularly excited for the opening session with a behavioral analyst—that’s going to be fascinating,” she says. As a board member of the Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS), she’s also eager to connect with other women in the field.
“This conference is so important because women aren’t always as visible in safety leadership roles,” she emphasizes. “It’s amazing to see a platform that showcases and supports women in safety.”
Hale will also be attending a networking event hosted by Matthews Dinsdale the evening before the conference—an opportunity to engage with peers and continue the conversation in a more informal setting.
