UK Physical Operations executives see clear AI benefits

Samsara has published its latest research The 2023 State of Privacy in Physical Operations that reveals the majority (54%) of executives in physical operations businesses in the UK who run vehicle fleets are confidently moving to implement new AI solutions, due to clear advantages around road safety, driver coaching, and worker upskilling.

When asked about the top benefits of using AI, the 100 executives questioned cited:

• Upskilling and learning opportunities for employees – 58%

• Virtual alerting and coaching for safer employee habits – 51%

• Detection of unsafe employee behaviour – 43%

• Two in five (42%) also highlighted incident detection and review as a benefit that AI can deliver.

Yet despite the agreed benefits of AI, privacy around AI is front of mind for 46% of the UK leaders questioned and only one in five (22%) saying drivers are completely accepting of in-cab cameras with the understanding they have.

However, the Samsara research reveals that driver concerns over privacy and AI can be easily and effectively addressed, with over half (51%) of organisations surveyed seeing a positive impact on driver sentiment by educating them on how video data is captured and uploaded.

Other successful initiatives that leaders say have improved driver sentiment towards AI and increased acceptance include: proactive leadership communication (50%), incorporating drivers into safety policy creation (49%), restricting permissions of access to camera footage (41%), and providing examples of how AI has helped driver exoneration for incidents (41%).

Commenting on the research findings, Lawrence Schoeb, Senior Director, Legal, and Data Protection Officer at Samsara, said: “It’s clear that physical operations businesses in the UK clearly understand the benefits of implementing AI into their organisations to drive safety improvements, particularly around road safety and the coaching and development of their driver workforces. Yet while the majority are keen to move forward with AI, the privacy concerns must be overcome.

“By working with technology partners who have embedded privacy by design into their products, they can ensure suitable control over their data. By choosing the right products, businesses can put in place the right policies, configurations, and protocols to alleviate driver concerns. This in turn will enhance the safety, sustainability, and security of their operations, as against the demands of their employees, helping with their legal and regulatory privacy compliance,” Schoeb added.