Faisal Khan

The digitalized automated processing systems are equipped with shared control systems with two intelligent decision-makers: humans and automated machines (artificial intelligence – AI-driven control). Besides the well-known challenges of AI systems [data quality and quantity; and reliability], another serious, less known and understood challenge emerges at this early stage of AI applications. It is AI-human conflicts. Contradictory observations, states, goals, and actions may cause conflict between decision-makers [humans and AI]. The definitions, cause(s), and path(s) of such a conflict from the safety perspective have not been explored and assessed. This presentation introduces an evolutionary framework showing how conflict between Human Intelligence (Human) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can lead to accidents. It presents a compelling argument for a Safety-centered design, which is crucial for preventing accidents stemming from disputes in AI-driven digitalized processing systems.

Dr. Faisal Khan is Mike O'Connor Chair II professor and interim department head of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. He is the Director of Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center and Director of Ocean Energy Safety Institute (OESI)

Before moving to Texas, Dr. Khan served as Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and Canada Research Chair (Tier I) of Offshore Safety and Risk Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. He founded the Centre for Risk Integrity and Safety and Engineering (C-RISE), which has over 100 research members. He established the Department of Process Engineering at Memorial University and served as founding Chair/Head from 2011 to 2019. He led the department in two successful Canadian Engineering Accreditation cycles.

Dr. Khan's research interests include Energy Safety, offshore safety, extreme event modeling, and risk engineering. He has received many national and international awards. He continues to serve as a subject-matter expert for many multinational oil and gas companies and processing companies on issues of safety, risk, and asset integrity. He also served as Safety and Risk Advisor to the Government of Newfoundland, Canada; the Ministry of Environment, Government of Qatar; and the Ministry of Environment, Government of Peru. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineers. He has authored over 700 research articles in peer-reviewed journals (H-index 105) and mentored 29 postdoctoral fellows, 101 PhDs, and 95 master students. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Process Safety & Environmental Protection and Safety in Harsh Environments.

• Time: 11 AM
• Location: 206 Furnas Hall