Using behavioral science to unlock AI for industrial sectors

Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming how we work, learn, and connect—creating both opportunities and challenges along the way. AI can make tasks faster and easier, but if not managed thoughtfully, it can lead to over-reliance, a decline in essential skills, and technostress-induced burnout. For AI to truly make an impact, people must trust it, understand it, and use it effectively. Behavioral science—the study of how people think and act—plays a critical role in this process. By considering it when rolling out AI initiatives, industrial organizations can design and implement tools in ways that align with human cognition, strengthen trust and adoption, and ultimately enhance, rather than replace, human capability.