AI in Workplace Health: Current Limits & Human Needs
Natural Intelligence is Here to Stay
Despite all of the hype and billions invested in AI development, not a single workplace health program has demonstrated long-term behavioural change through artificial intelligence alone.
Think of workplace health like compliance and auditing. Since most people find it boring or confusing, the temptation to outsource it to AI is very exciting.
But here's the reality: currently, effective workplace health programs rely on a naturally intelligent human who leverages AI to enhance their work.
The Real Potential: What AI Could Actually Transform
Personalisation at scale is where significant upside lies in workplace health.
Workplace health programs, particularly those focusing on prevention and health promotion, have notoriously struggled to receive resources despite the evidence-based benefits of a 3:1 ROI.
The human-supervised use of AI to personalise interventions, provide ongoing access, and predictive health analytics can revolutionise workplace health by delivering the support that workplace health specialists wanted, on the budget that CFOs gave them.
Personalised Intervention Design
Personalisation requires individual health data, behavioural patterns and engagement preferences.
Smartphones and wearables generate millions of such data points daily, which can be used to develop personalised interventions.
Content delivery could be tailored based on work schedules, stress levels and health goals.
For example, it might be identified that I’m stressed at 8 pm on Thursday night in the office. Instead of recommending a run, how about a five-minute breathing exercise?
Coaching and support strategies could be adjusted in real time based on user responses.
If you get sick and need rest, the program can adjust so you’re not seeing goals and objectives that you cannot complete right now.
24/7 Accessibility and Support
There are some downsides to naturally intelligent humans, including availability and bandwidth.
Virtual coaching through chatbots or AI agents allows 24-hour support for workers. This is often seen as a benefit for shift workers, but it also assists daytime workers who are performing activities outside of work hours.
Virtual coaching can handle a high volume of questions, including the same question over again. In addition, some people will ask a virtual assistant a question they may not ask a human (they are probably doing this already).
Predictive Health Analytics
Probably the most exciting element for me is the use of predictive health analytics to identify risks and provide early support for workers.
User data from smartphones, wearables and check-ins can be analysed against evidence-based tools for stress, burnout, cardiac health and other health risks.
This information can help the individual to mitigate risk through lifestyle modification or seek support as needed.
Three Critical Barriers Blocking AI Implementation
If there is so much upside, why hasn't AI changed the face of workplace health? Three significant barriers stand in the way.
Data Security and Privacy Concerns
Workers don't want their employers involved in their health data due to breach risk and potential consequences. The feeling is mutual - many organisations don't want to hold private health data for the same reasons.
The following solutions allow workers to benefit from personalised health interventions, while protecting privacy:
Privacy-first data handling through trusted third-party providers
De-identified, aggregated data sharing only
Workers benefit from personalisation without individual data exposure.
Technology Limitations That Matter Right Now
Individual health needs are highly contextualised based on previous experience, recent health, age and lifestyle.
AI misses contextual cues that humans understand:
Complex mental health situations requiring nuanced responses
Cultural and individual communication preferences
Medical complexity requiring professional judgment.
This will improve over time, but the guardrails aren't fully developed yet.
Implementation Costs Are Higher Than Expected
Many assume AI is cost-effective: aren't we just replacing an expensive human with a SaaS subscription?
AI needs extensive setup and training for your workplace's unique demands:
Work types and physical activity requirements
Shift patterns and scheduling complexities
Demographics and cultural considerations
Ongoing human supervision and quality control.
Most human-AI hybrid strategies currently cost more than human-led approaches.
Why Health Specialists Remain Essential
AI will never replace workplace health professionals.
The human element in workplace health cannot be replaced by AI. However, AI can increase the impact of workplace health professionals.
Irreplaceable Human Capabilities
The management of complex situations, professional judgement and local knowledge of workplace health professionals cannot be replaced.
They understand who in the workplace is best positioned to champion a certain cause.
While AI might recommend Cheryl the cyclist based on her cycling 200km+ weekly, the professional knows that Pete uses the onsite gym when in office and encourages others to join in lunchtime sessions.
Leverage AI for assistance
Many workplace health professionals are already using AI to improve their efficiency. This can range from drafting emails, questionnaires and content, to analysing data and trends.
Over time, this will likely evolve to take on more complex tasks that require human review. This frees up more time to consult with workers and develop programs that support local needs.
Workplace health professionals can reflect on repeated tasks and consider building their own automated workflows.
Action Plan
Train workplace health specialists to work with AI tools, not compete against them
Focus AI on routine tasks while specialists handle complex situations
Identify repetitive workflows that could benefit from automation
Maintain human oversight for all AI-generated health recommendations
Summary: Get Started Now
AI has already impacted workplace health, but we're years away from the promised revolution.
If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve, start here:
Evaluate AI tools for routine administrative tasks first
Invest in training your health specialists to work alongside AI
Establish clear data privacy frameworks before any AI implementation
Set realistic expectations about costs and timelines.
The future of workplace health lies in thoughtfully combining human and artificial intelligence to create more effective, accessible and personalised worker health and wellbeing programs.
Your naturally intelligent humans remain the cornerstone. AI simply gives them better tools to serve your workforce more efficiently.
These evidence-based approaches to workplace wellness innovation align with TENSH's commitment to practical, human-centred health strategies that drive real organisational outcomes.