EHS+ is at a crossroads of innovation.
The market has shifted more in the past year than in the last ten. AI promises to transform what’s possible with EHS, and teams are racing to adopt new technologies.
What does this mean for the future of EHS+ and sustainability?
34%
Their data is mostly centralized but inconsistently trusted
of organizations say
Here is what we found…
97%
They are using AI in EHS+ processes and workflows
of organizations say
27%
AI is a strategic priority with executive sponsorship
of organizations say
A Global Study on How Organizations Are Applying AI and Technology to Control Risk
The State of EHS+ Technology
Research Report | 2,000 EHS+ Leaders
Explore the Top 5 AI Insights
stated that unapproved AI is being used widely — not just casually or experimentally.
45%
5%
of EHS leaders say AI tool usage outside of approved systems is restricted or prohibited.
These trends reveal a conflict between speed to implementation and the ability to govern and build trust in those solutions.
95%
Using shadow AI
of EHS professionals are using AI tools outside of approved systems — and nearly half say this is happening widely across their organisations.
The Reality
vs
The Expectation
Security.
#1 priority:
When selecting AI solutions, respondents ranked security as their top concern — closely followed by transparency, domain expertise, and human oversight.
Shadow AI
presents new risks.
In one of the most risk-averse industries in the world, 95% of respondents said EHS teams and frontline workers were using some form of unapproved AI systems in their work. 45% said this is happening widely, not just casually.
Insight 01
AI enables better in-the-moment decisions.
When we asked EHS leaders where they saw the biggest opportunity for improved data and insights, they all pointed to "in the moment" decisions — conditions that exist at a specific time, at a specific site, on a specific shift, and then change.
Insight 02
While current EHS+ tech is built to capture and react to what has already happened, AI creates an opportunity to see what's happening right now and help someone make a better decision in the moment.
The top 4 risk areas with the biggest opportunity for in-the-moment insights:
Availability or suitability of tools or PPE
20% of respondents said:
Communication quality between teams or shifts
19% of respondents said:
Focus alertness or fatigue over the course of a shift
19% of respondents said:
Production pressure or schedule changes
20% of respondents said:
Tech consolidation is a growing priority.
EHS technology grew up fragmented. One tool for safety, another for health, another for environmental, and so on—and each with its own data and workflows.
Insight 03
But AI is changing how EHS professionals make technology decisions and increasing interest in modern platforms and tech consolidation. The data highlights a shift away from fragmented point solutions to platform-based solutions that break down siloes across domains.
85% of organizations indicated they are still running on disconnected or partially integrated tools, and only 15% saying their data is centralized in a trusted system.
of organizations indicated they are still running on disconnected or partially integrated tools
85%
15%
say their data is centralized in a trusted system
The data highlights a shift away from fragmented point solutions to platforms that break down siloes across domains.
EHS tools grew up
fragmented.
Leaders Are Embracing Data Convergence and AI.
Insight 04
vs
3x
Be running on domain-specific platforms built for EHS
More likey to
Pacesetters in EHS+ are…
4x
Have centralized, trusted data across their organization
More likely to
4x
Have made AI a strategic priority at the executive level
More likely to
Embedding AI as an executive-level priority
Embedding AI across the organization has been identified and championed as a strategic priority at the executive level.
They've been consolidating tools and data onto fewer platforms — creating the foundation that makes applied AI possible.
Pulling systems and data onto fewer platforms
Industry expertise is key for trust.
In conversations about AI and innovation, trust grounded in industry expertise is a recurring theme.
Insight 05
Trust in fully autonomous AI to make EHS+ decisions is consistently at or below 15% across all decision types, with the peak preference always being AI recommendations with required human approval.
When asked what matters most when selecting AI solutions, senior EHS leaders consistently preferred depth of expertise over novelty.
vs
21.9%
the top factors considered most important for AI investment decisions.
Explainability & transparency of AI outputs
21.5%
Human oversight & control
21.6%
Domain knowledge — not general AI capability — is the primary differentiator.
Vendor expertise in the EHS domain
The ability for humans to review, override, and remain in the loop is non-negotiable.
29%
24%
1%
Top factors for AI investment decisions:
Most common level of 'AI autonomy':
"AI recommendations with required human approval"
29% of respondents selected:
15% of respondents "Would not trust AI at all".
Vendor expertise in the EHS domain
21.6% of respondents said:
Explainability and transparency of AI outputs
21.9% of respondents said:
Human oversight and control
21.5% of respondents said:
AI ambition in EHS is growing fast — but our research reveals a significant gap between adoption and operational readiness. These insights offer a small glimpse into the complete findings.
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