Exploring AI in SMS

Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving fast, and aviation safety is no exception. This episode explores where AI can add real value to safety management and where it still needs a human in the loop. Alex Papley, an AI expert with 25 years of IT experience and founder of Hypergen, joins hosts Grenville Hudson and Kathryn Harvey to break down what AI actually is and what it is not. Alex explains the difference between traditional AI and generative AI (GenAI), why GenAI has opened the door for smaller operators, and why treating AI as a summarisation tool rather than a thinking tool is the key to getting good results. The conversation covers practical use cases across the four pillars of safety: safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion and tackles the big questions around job security, data myths, and the ethics of handing over tacit knowledge to a machine. ________________________________________ Upcoming Training: Making Your Safety Management System Operational The SMS compliance deadline is 1 September 2026. Operators who are not ready risk serious regulatory consequences. Here are the course details: What: Hazard identification, safety reporting, and auditing, plus much more Who: Safety managers, accountable managers, and Part 121, 135, and 138 operators When: One-day online course running 7 August and 21 August 2026 Book your seat at aviationsafetycommunity.com.au ________________________________________ Links & Resources Generative AI (GenAI): the technology behind tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Claude, referenced throughout the episode as the key development making AI accessible to smaller operators Large Language Model (LLM): the underlying technology that powers GenAI tools, as explained by Alex early in the episode ChatGPT: AI tool by OpenAI, mentioned as an example of an accessible GenAI tool for smaller businesses Microsoft Copilot: mentioned as an example of an off-the-shelf GenAI tool suitable for small to medium operators Claude: mentioned by Alex as a recommended GenAI tool for smaller businesses Salesforce: US-based software company where Alex previously worked as an AI developer Hypergen: Alex's AI consulting and development company, helping organisations identify and build AI solutions ICAO four pillars of safety: the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) framework covering safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion, used by Grenville to structure the safety management discussion Atlassian: mentioned as a recent example of a large technology company reducing headcount and citing AI as a factor Guest Info Alex Papley is an AI expert with 25 years of IT experience, including eight years specialising in AI. He has worked as an AI developer at Salesforce in the United States and as a lead data and AI consultant at Microsoft, working with large organisations across Australia. He is the founder of Hypergen, an AI consulting and development company. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanp/ Website: https://www.hypergen.com.au Timestamps / Chapters Times are approximate, based on the conversation flow. 00:00: Welcome and introduction to Alex Papley and today's topic 02:30: What AI actually is — traditional AI versus generative AI explained 06:00: Why GenAI has changed the game for document-heavy industries like aviation 09:00: AI use cases in risk management — synthesising data and reducing admin load 13:00: Treating AI as a summarisation technology, not a thinking technology 16:30: The build versus buy question — when does it make sense to develop your own software? 22:00: How business size affects AI accessibility and where to start 26:00: Is AI taking jobs? Alex shares his view on displacement versus replacement 31:00: The importance of tacit knowledge and how to capture it for AI use 35:00: Myth busting — why "get your data in order first" is not always the right advice 39:00: Key takeaway: give AI more information and clearer instructions to get better results ________________________________________ Don't forget: Making Your Safety Management System Operational The SMS compliance deadline is 1 September 2026. Operators who are not ready risk serious regulatory consequences. If you have not booked your place yet, head to aviationsafetycommunity.com.au ________________________________________ Next Steps Subscribe so you do not miss an episode, and join us at our next Safety Leadership Forum to keep the conversation going. 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Disclaimer The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice.