People and Technology: Striking a New Balance in Tomorrow’s Industry
As Artificial Intelligence continues to play a growing role in the workplace, one question becomes more urgent: How can we ensure that technology empowers people rather than replaces them?
At Erasmus University, Jan Laurijssen (HR Evangelist at SD Worx) met with Professor Jason Pridmore, a leading expert on Human-Centric AI and coordinator of the European SEISMEC project, for an inspiring conversation on how people and technology can grow together.
A compelling conversation about paradoxes, pilots and the role of HR in an AI-driven world.
1. The starting point: Why SEISMEC?
The SEISMEC project was born out of a critical look at how technology is currently applied on industrial environments. According to Pridmore, there’s an increasing need for ethical, human-centred and balanced applications of AI.
“We noticed how workers are increasingly being monitored. The real question is: how does that data affect their work and well-being?” – Jason Pridmore
The ambition behind SEISMEC? To make Industry 5.0 tangible, with technology serving people, not the other way around.
2. The CAPS framework: Combining productivity and humanity
SEISMEC is built on the CAPS framework, which explores four key tensions:
• Collaboration & Creativity
• Autonomy & Automation
• Privacy & Productivity
• Safety & Satisfaction
The premise? These are not either-or trade-offs, but forces that can reinforce one another.
“Some types of automation can actually increase autonomy.”
3. AI in action: Examples from across Europe
SEISMEC involves 17 pilots across 14 countries. Jason highlights a few:
• Slovenia: AI-based monitoring in tourist regions
• Portugal: robotics in distribution centres to reduce physical strain
• Croatia: augmented reality to improve safety on airport runways
• Construction sector: drones to inspect hard-to-reach or dangerous areas
These real-world cases show that AI and human labour can enhance each other if designed ethically and collaboratively.
4. What this means for HR
AI has a direct impact on HR: job roles shift, tasks evolve, and new skills are required. Pridmore sees a clear responsibility for HR leaders:
“HR should be a partner in shaping this transformation — not just facilitating, but also representing the interests of employees.”
He advocates for an HR role that fosters productivity while ensuring meaningful, sustainable work.
5. Looking ahead: From pilot to impact
SEISMEC is currently halfway through its journey. The coming phase is all about implementation, testing and practical learning.
“This is the make-or-break stage. What we’ve designed now needs to become reality.”
Pridmore also reflects on the role of education: how do we prepare students for an AI-driven labour market?
“AI will soon be as natural as email. We need to teach students to think critically — not just how to use tools.”
Conclusion: HR at the forefront of Industry 5.0
SEISMEC demonstrates that people and technology are not opposites. For HR, this means taking the lead:
Think ahead. Experiment. Protect what matters. And help design a working environment where AI empowers people.
“Be bold. AI is not a threat or a buzzword — it’s a real opportunity to make work better.”
Watch the Full Interview
Snapshots from the Interview
