Industry experts discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way organizations prepare for and respond to emergencies during a Capitol Hill briefing hosted by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and BSA’s Digital Transformation Network (DTN).
The briefing highlighted findings from “AI for Disasters and Emergencies,” a new DTN report examining how AI is helping governments, emergency responders, and humanitarian organizations anticipate disasters, coordinate response efforts, and accelerate recovery. The report showcases real-world applications of AI in disaster management, from predictive modeling and emergency coordination to infrastructure resilience.
Moderated by BSA Senior Director of Legislative Strategy Danielle Brown, the panel emphasized the importance of reliable data, resilient systems, and human oversight in helping organizations use AI effectively during emergencies.
“AI is transforming vast amounts of data into actionable and insightful information that can improve options before, during, and after a crisis,” said Brown.
Government agencies often rely on data spread across different systems, creating challenges for coordination during emergencies. Panelists discussed how connecting that information requires clear governance standards and safeguards to protect sensitive data.
“You have to be sure that you agree upon data governance standards for the data, especially when sharing citizen data across agencies. You need to have tight data governance controls and policies,” said Wole Moses, Microsoft Federal Civilian Chief AI Officer. “Who has access to the data? How’s the data stored? Is it encrypted? Those are all important questions.”
Beyond data sharing, agencies must also prepare for the possibility that critical systems could become unavailable during a disaster. Panelists emphasized the importance of identifying and protecting the technologies and resources necessary to maintain essential operations.
“What they should be doing is asking, ‘What do I need to perform my mission at a minimum? Which AI tools do I need, what data feeds that, and what systems are dependent on that capability?'” said Cohesity Public Sector Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Security Officer Marlin McFate. “If I prepare for the absolute worst possible situation, the total destruction of all my data, I will be able to survive a natural disaster or another emergency.”
AI’s growing role in disaster management is helping organizations strengthen preparedness, improve emergency operations, and build more resilient communities. As DTN’s report highlights, AI is transforming disaster management across three critical stages:
- Before a Disaster: From forecasting extreme weather to identifying potential vulnerabilities, AI-powered tools are helping organizations anticipate threats and take proactive steps to reduce disaster risks.
- During a Disaster: When emergencies strike, rapid coordination is essential. AI can improve situational awareness, support more effective resource allocation, and help responders deliver assistance where it is needed most.
- After a Disaster: Recovery efforts increasingly benefit from AI applications that support damage assessments, infrastructure restoration, and long-term planning to help communities rebuild and strengthen their resilience against future disasters.
Read the full report here.