AI in Action: Transforming Crisis Preparedness, Training, and Exercises

In this episode of The PreparedEx Podcast, host Rob Burton sits down with Austin Cruz, Associate Director of Crisis Management and Strategic Innovation at Witt O’Brien’s and newly elected leader of the Business Continuity Institute’s AI Special Interest Group. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of crisis management, business continuity, and organizational resilience.

From turning static crisis plans into AI-powered assistants to building custom-coded exercise interfaces without writing a line of code, Rob and Austin discuss the rapid evolution of technology in preparedness and what it means for practitioners today. They dive into real-world use cases, the ethical and security implications of AI adoption, and how leaders can strike the right balance between innovation and realism in exercises.

The conversation also looks ahead to the next three to five years, envisioning a future where AI-guided crisis simulations, sentiment analysis, and automated after-action reporting redefine how organizations train and respond to disruptions.

Whether you’re a resilience professional, emergency manager, or simply curious about AI’s growing impact on preparedness, this episode offers practical insights, cautionary tales, and a glimpse into the future of the industry.

Topics Covered:

• AI as the new organizing principle in crisis management
• Transforming static plans into conversational tools
• Enhancing training and exercises with AI-driven realism
• Data privacy, governance, and ethical risks
• How organizations can responsibly embrace innovation

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