PANEL DISCUSSION 2: "Emerging AI in Managing Health and Safety at Workplace"
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way organizations identify hazards, assess risks, and strengthen workplace health and safety performance. From predictive analytics and intelligent monitoring systems to real-time risk detection and automated reporting, AI is enabling a more proactive and data-driven approach to protecting people and enhancing operational resilience.
This presentation explores the latest developments in AI-powered health and safety management, highlighting how emerging technologies can support incident prevention, improve decision-making, enhance compliance, and drive continuous improvement. The session will also address the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating AI into HSE programs, including governance, human oversight, workforce acceptance, and ethical considerations.
Speaker(s)
Marwan Aridi is a seasoned certification and business assurance leader with over 17 years of experience at Bureau Veritas, driving operational excellence, certification growth, and trusted business solutions across the Middle East. As the Head of Certifiction - UAE, he leads the strategic development of certification services, working closely with operational, technical, commercial, training, and audit teams to deliver high-quality assurance and compliance solutions aligned with international standards and best practices.
Throughout his career, Marwan has played a pivotal role in expanding Bureau Veritas' portfolio beyond traditional Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) standards, pioneering initiatives in carbon management, greenhouse gas verification, social responsibility, gender equality auditing, and digital learning solutions. He also led the development and global launch of the acclaimed Restart Your Business / Safeguard initiative during the pandemic, helping organizations strengthen health and safety practices, rebuild stakeholder confidence, and enhance business resilience. Passionate about sustainability, innovation, and trust, Marwan continues to support organizations in achieving safer workplaces, stronger governance, and sustainable growth while contributing to Bureau Veritas' mission of "Shaping a World of Trust."
John Shenton is the Projects and Contracts Director at Graphite, where he leads project delivery across the practice. His career spans major construction and infrastructure programmes across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including the delivery of medium-voltage and high-voltage grid-integration assets for DEWA.
His work increasingly considers how technology and AI can move health and safety upstream from monitoring incidents to anticipating risk and designing it out. At Graphite, this translates into an integrated approach to the workplace, combining intelligent office design, modular building solutions, and furniture systems to create environments that are safer, healthier, and more productive.
Dr. Abir Hamze is an environmental engineer, academic, and researcher whose work focuses on advancing sustainable solutions at the intersection of waste management, resource recovery, and public health. With expertise spanning municipal solid waste systems, wastewater treatment, and circular economy practices, she is dedicated to transforming waste streams into valuable resources while addressing environmental and societal challenges.
Her research is particularly focused on enhancing anaerobic digestion processes to maximize biogas production and generate value-added products from organic waste and biomass. Dr. Hamze also investigates emerging environmental contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in sewage sludge and biosolids, contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable waste and wastewater management practices.
Dr. Hamze serves as a faculty member in the School of Health Sciences and Psychology at the Canadian University of Dubai (CUD), where she combines academic excellence with applied research to support innovation in environmental sustainability and public health. Through her teaching and research activities, she actively contributes to developing future professionals and advancing knowledge in the field.
Beyond academia, Dr. Hamze is the Vice Chair of the Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO) Residuals and Biosolids Committee, where she plays an active role in fostering professional collaboration and knowledge sharing within the water and wastewater sector. She is also committed to community engagement and outreach initiatives that promote public awareness of the critical links between water, waste, environmental sustainability, and human health.
Her areas of specialization include waste management, anaerobic digestion, bioenergy production from biomass, resource recovery, circular economy strategies, wastewater treatment, and environmental sustainability. Through her research, leadership, and advocacy, Dr. Hamze contributes to the development of innovative solutions that support a more sustainable and resilient future.
Dr. Priyanka Hemant Pansare is a healthcare professional, leadership coach, consultant, and wellbeing advocate passionate about helping individuals and organizations create healthier, more resilient, and sustainable workplaces. With a multidisciplinary background spanning healthcare, executive coaching, leadership development, and healthcare management, she supports professionals in enhancing performance, wellbeing, and organizational effectiveness.
Currently serving as an independent consultant based in the UAE, Dr. Priyanka works with organizations and professionals across the healthcare and corporate sectors, delivering coaching, leadership development, public speaking, corporate training, and healthcare consulting services. Her work focuses on empowering leaders, strengthening workplace wellbeing, preventing burnout, and fostering cultures that support both professional excellence and personal resilience.
Dr. Priyanka holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Lincoln University College, where her academic work emphasized healthcare sustainability, organizational efficiency, workforce wellbeing, and healthcare leadership. She is also a Certified Leadership and Executive Coach and Certified Life Coach, combining evidence-based healthcare knowledge with practical coaching methodologies to help individuals and teams navigate change, manage stress, and achieve sustainable success.
A recognized speaker, writer, and thought leader, Dr. Priyanka regularly addresses topics related to healthcare leadership, employee wellbeing, burnout prevention, emotional intelligence, women’s health, work-life balance, and personal development. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking engagements, she advocates for a more human-centered approach to leadership that places wellbeing, resilience, and psychological health at the heart of organizational performance.
Areas of Expertise: Healthcare Management, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Workplace Wellbeing, Burnout Prevention, Emotional Intelligence, Women’s Health, Organizational Effectiveness, Professional Development, and Resilience Building.
