Public radio has taken notice of Michigan’s push to integrate AI into emergency dispatch operations. WCMU, Michigan’s NPR affiliate, produced a detailed segment examining how AI chatbots are handling non-emergency calls in Grand Traverse and Saginaw counties.
The report highlighted how the Automated Virtual Agent (AVA) system processes routine requests — from court phone numbers to non-urgent incident reports — allowing human dispatchers to concentrate on emergencies. Notably, the segment referenced Saginaw County’s experience as an early adopter, with residents responding positively to the technology.
This follows earlier coverage from regional media. WNEM TV5 first reported on Saginaw County’s AI implementation in August 2024, and WSGW 790 AM covered the system launch announcement.
The pattern of media coverage — local TV, local radio, and now public radio — demonstrates growing recognition that AI in 911 is no longer experimental. It’s operational, measurable, and expanding across Michigan.
For a complete collection of press coverage on this topic, visit the press page at chrisizworski.com.
AI in Public Safety — Chris Izworski 