I would bet there are large swaths of people that don't know there is a nonemergency number to look up.

If there's an insistence on AI for any reason, which almost always comes down to $$$, then have people transfer non emergency to the AI. First contact should be to a person 100% of the time.

No, but I think a minimal threshold for giving those concerns consideration should be some indication that the people with those concerns have read the article.

Glitchvid, for example, has actually gone to the trouble to search job listings on their site. That is a sign of concern worth considering. First one I've seen in this thread.

Again, did you read the article?

Or even the comment I wrote that you are responding to right now? I said the answer to this in the comment you're responding to.

I'd say if one person calls with an emergency, gets AI, and doesn't get transferred, then the entire system is failed and someone should go to jail.

Alright, let's go with that standard for purposes of argument.

If one person calls the emergency line with an emergency and doesn't get through because the human dispatchers are currently overwhelmed with non-emergency calls, does that mean the entire current system is failed and someone should go to jail?

Just wait until you realize that extraordinary failure oozes into everything

Both, and no, your quote comment and the article conflict.

What does the article say, then? You know the answer, go ahead and correct me.

You have no proof that I had or hadn’t. So, it is my word against yours.

Right there in your quote it says the AI would only interact with nonemergency calls. You said the system would reroute nonemergency calls.

So when a call comes in to 911, who picks up? A person or an AI?

That does work (actually 'non emergency city state'). But as another comment mentions, the public knowing it exists is more important than the number itself.

I used to have to call the non emergency number a few times a month for a previous job.

The calls were always answered by 911 operators, but they would place you on hold if a 911 call came through. No big deal

"To better assist you please describe the nature of your emergency...... Let's try this again. To better assist..."

I have a hard time putting faith in their promise that it won't affect anyone poorly. They're just handwaving criticism away with statements that make this AI seem like magic with zero explanation of actual details.

one of the most important factors with emergency services is that there is as little delay as possible. and that starts at the phone call. if everyone is delayed by this screening, and then they'll maybe get through to a person, it'll be much less likely that the person calling will be able to even just get assistance in time

If one person calls the emergency line with an emergency and doesn't get through because the human dispatchers are currently overwhelmed with non-emergency calls, does that mean the entire current system is failed and someone should go to jail?

I don't think so, because currently there is no artificial delay. if someone has to be got rid of, that is the person(s) who are keeping the call center short staffed, whoever that is and whatever high up the chain they are

Saly lake city Residents, shouldn't be paying taxes then.

I would say there's a failure in the body responsible for hiring and paying people to answer emergency calls. The only reason there is a shortage is because they are under paying employees. So yes, but AI, like everywhere else it's been implemented, will fall short of what's needed and will ultimately cost more financially, with the exception that in this case, lives could also be lost.

There's without a doubt a problem, but AI isn't the solution.

People will inevitably die as a result of this change. Call your representatives

it might detect those elevated stress levels [for callers] and it will automatically default going to a human being

Damn. I get ice cold emotionless during an emergency, going straight to the point of reciting location and event when calling 911. Now I will have to also remember in the back of my mind to throw in a wavering voice and a couple of shrieks maybe to have my call routed properly. What a future.