3 Steps to get senior management buy-in for your safety AI project

Convincing senior management to invest in an AI-powered safety project can be a challenging task. Whether you're exploring AI safety technology or proposing a full-scale digital transformation, getting executive buy-in is essential. 

Following these three steps will help you convince decision-makers to invest in the purchase of beneficial Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.

Are you already convinced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools could add benefits to your organization? Perhaps you’ve already identified some specific AI products, such as computer vision or natural language, that could take your health and safety management to the next level. 

You are fired with enthusiasm – but how do you convince senior management it’s a worthwhile investment? Here are the three steps to follow to successfully persuade the decision makers to invest.

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1. Learn and engage with key stakeholders

Before you start, make a list of everyone whose support you need. That might start with the budget approval from the head of finance.

But even where a health and safety department has its own budget, it is rare for a safety AI project to be standalone. You will need cooperation from other departments for a successful implementation. 

Aligning AI projects with departmental objectives

If you want a speech recognition system to help people make verbal incident reports quickly, HR support will be essential to link reports to people’s identities. 

For a computer vision project, you’ll have to work with the security function who manages the CCTV cameras and feeds. For any AI project, the head of IT or data security is likely to have a veto as to whether the product can sit within the company infrastructure.

Identifying the motivations of senior leaders

Once you’ve identified the decision makers, find out what makes them tick. Don’t assume the head of finance is only interested in money, or the head of IT only in software. 

The operations director might want to know about bottlenecks in the process. The CEO might know that a proactive culture will have benefits for the organization, but be unclear how to achieve it. Find out what aspirations senior leaders have, for their own development, and for the organization. This will help you with the next step.

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2. Crafting a compelling message for leadership buy-in

Once you know what motivates the decision-makers, tailor your business case. You might get support from a senior safety manager by explaining how the AI solution will increase near miss reporting and help to reduce injuries. 

They also want to know how spending money on AI capabilities will be more cost-effective in achieving this than traditional approaches. To strengthen your case, consider emphasizing how your project is focused on driving ROI with AI.

Addressing data needs and reporting efficiency

Your initial homework might have identified that the board managers are interested in better, faster, and more accurate reporting. 

They don’t have enough data to support their risk register, and your proposal will provide them with immediate updates on safety KPIs.

Aligning with broader IT and strategic initiatives

If the manager responsible for IT is considering a major upgrade, explain how your proposal could support that project. Don’t just tell senior management about the benefits for you and your department. 

If computer vision reduces the time spent doing housekeeping inspections, how will the time saved be used to support them? How could the project be used to enhance the reputation of the organization, to win new customers or clients, or to reassure shareholders?

Overcoming workforce resistance and addressing privacy concerns

Be realistic about any claims for benefits. Identify obstacles to acceptance from the workforce, and show you have already thought about strategies to overcome these. 

If you want to use speech recognition, will you need sound-proof booths to reduce workplace noise and provide confidentiality? If you’re attaching computer vision to CCTV feeds, how will you reassure workers they are not being spied upon?

Addressing these concerns can increase stakeholder engagement and create a smoother path to AI adoption.

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3. Reinforcing executive buy-in and long-term support

We know that positive reinforcement encourages good behavior. Parents know this about their children, teachers know this about their pupils. Good employers know this about their workers. 

But how often do we remember that senior decision-makers might also appreciate some positive reinforcement?

Demonstrating the impact of small wins 

For some, the satisfaction of a successful implementation might be sufficient reward. But remember who supported your project, and thank them. 

If you start by getting backing for a small change, explaining what the successful outcomes have been from that project will make it more likely that the executive sponsors will support you next time. 

Providing data-driven feedback on pilot projects

Taking the time to provide feedback on the pilot project might feel like time away from planning the next stage. 

But when linking computer vision to one CCTV camera has led to a measurable reduction in pedestrians getting too close to vehicles, share the success with the senior managers who supported you, so that they’ll back you on the expansion of the project.

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Driving strategic safety initiatives through executive sponsorship

Everyone talks about worker engagement, but you know how important it is to get the senior leaders engaged in improving how safety is managed. They control the resources, and set the example that other people will follow. 

These three steps are not a quick fix, but taking time to learn about your audience, tailor your business case, and then reinforce any support you do get, will put you on the path to a more intelligent future.

Protex AI helps organizations achieve safer workplaces through cutting-edge AI technology that identifies risks in real-time and promotes proactive safety culture. To see how Protex can support your safety goals, watch our demo.

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