New Orleans will use AI to answer 911 calls instead of a human
New Orleans is implementing an AI-powered triage system for 911 calls to manage high call volumes during emergencies. The system automatically routes callers to information or human dispatchers, aiming to reduce wait times during incident surges.
Why it matters
This represents a significant shift in public safety infrastructure, testing the balance between AI efficiency and the risks of automated systems in life-critical situations.
If you call 911 in New Orleans, you may hear the sound of an artificial intelligence (AI) agent answering your call instead of a human voice.
The Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) is changing the way dispatch calls are handled in New Orleans with the implementation of new technology .
The OPCD is currently testing out the new tool designed to reduce the volume of calls human dispatchers must handle, which is over a thousand emergency calls a day.
New Orleans implemented AI in April to answer 311 calls for non-emergencies. The AI was trained and programmed to provide information to callers, as the OPCD says 50% of 311 calls are for information, according to GovTech .
AI is now answering 911 emergency calls in Louisiana's largest city and one of the cities with the highest call rates in the U.S.
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