In a recent government meeting, Michael Cruz, the Chief Information Officer at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), presented insights on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing emergency preparedness and response. Cruz emphasized Cal OES's pivotal role in disaster management, which includes developing emergency plans, conducting training, and coordinating recovery efforts.

Cruz highlighted the complexities of emergency response, noting the unpredictable nature of disasters and the critical need for timely decision-making. To address these challenges, Cal OES has invested in modernizing its information systems to improve real-time data sharing and situational awareness during emergencies.

Since the issuance of the governor's AI executive order, Cruz reported that Cal OES has been exploring various AI applications, although no AI-dependent workflows have been fully adopted yet. The agency has evaluated several use cases, including streamlining the disaster declaration process and analyzing FEMA appeals. By employing AI, they have successfully reduced the completion time for disaster declarations by 20%, enhancing responsiveness in urgent situations.

Cruz outlined a safety-first approach in their AI evaluations, which includes conducting research in closed environments, avoiding the use of sensitive data, and ensuring human oversight in decision-making processes. The initial results from these evaluations have been promising, and Cal OES is considering further applications of AI to improve efficiency and safety in emergency management.