The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) has been utilizing artificial intelligence for over two years to manage 911 medical calls, a practice that has not been publicly disclosed. This system, powered by Denmark-based Corti, has directed some patients to a nurse-staffed call center in Texas instead of dispatching an ambulance.
Launched in December 2023, the AI technology has reportedly increased calls routed to the nurse line, although the exact increase is contested. Notably, the system has not undergone evaluation under Seattle's surveillance ordinance, which mandates reviews of technologies that may impact social justice.
Concerns have arisen following a 2022 incident where a retiree waited over ten hours for an ambulance, ultimately leading to a lawsuit by her estate. As this technology expands in Washington state, with similar systems emerging in Snohomish and Kitsap counties, experts like University of Washington law professor Ryan Calo stress the necessity for transparency regarding AI’s role in emergency responses.
SFD Assistant Chief Chris Lombard emphasized that dispatchers have the final say on every call, even with AI input. Meanwhile, the administration of Mayor Katie Wilson is working on a framework for AI governance that aims to prioritize public wellbeing.