Disaster recovery requires a coordinated set of actions and strategies aimed at restoring affected areas immediately following an event. As the number of disasters per year significantly increases, emergency managers and responders are inundated with large amounts of data processing and decision-making required for successful response and recovery outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) has a significant potential for facilitating many of these activities. By enhancing decision-making and communication, AI would allow officials to concentrate more effectively on critical aspects of the response.

The EPA’s Homeland Security Research Program has been working to leverage AI and enhance disaster readiness for several years. This presentation will showcase real-world applications of AI and its future potential in disaster preparedness and recovery. The EPA is researching AI technology integration in a way that can significantly improve predictive capabilities, streamline response efforts, and optimize recovery processes, ultimately reducing the impact on communities. This presentation will highlight successful implementation of AI in current disaster management scenarios, providing tangible examples of technology-driven improvements in environmental cleanup outcomes.