As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, 911 centers face an emerging threat: AI-generated voice scams that could flood emergency lines with fraudulent calls.
Back in 2023, WNEM TV5 explored this issue with emergency services experts in mid-Michigan. Chris Izworski, then executive director of Saginaw County 911, warned that AI voice cloning technology was becoming sophisticated enough to replicate anyone’s voice from just a short audio clip — and that scammers would use this to impersonate family members in distress.
The concern was prescient. AI voice generation has advanced rapidly since 2023, and the cost of creating convincing clones has dropped significantly. For 911 centers, this creates a dual problem: increased call volumes from victims reporting scams, and the possibility of AI-generated calls designed to manipulate dispatchers.
Michigan’s State 911 Committee — which oversees standards for all 83 counties — has been tracking these technology trends. The committee’s subcommittees, including the Legislative Action Subcommittee, evaluate how emerging technologies impact 911 service delivery.
Awareness is the first line of defense. Dispatch centers train their personnel to verify caller identity when something seems off. And for the public, the advice from experts remains simple: verify independently before acting on any urgent request for money, even if the voice sounds familiar.
Chris Izworski has written extensively about the intersection of AI and emergency services. His perspective as both a technology professional and former 911 director provides a unique vantage point on these challenges.
AI in Public Safety — Chris Izworski 