How AI Will Impact Emergency Response: The Tech That Could Soon Save Your Life w/ Michael Chime

Can AI Help Save Lives? | Michael Chime (Prepared) x Kimberly Tan (a16z) In this episode, a16z partner Kimberly Tan sits down with Michael Chime, the CEO and co-founder of AI emergency response platform Prepared, for a powerful conversation about how AI is transforming public safety — starting with 911 call centers. They discuss how Prepared went from an idea in a Yale dorm room to a fast-growing platform augmenting emergency response nationwide. Michael shares insights into the company's go-to-market journey, the challenges of integrating voice AI into highly sensitive environments, and what it takes to build trust with government agencies. Together, they also dive into the real-world impact of AI agents in emergency services, what "human-in-the-loop" really means in crisis moments, and why AI’s future in government is only just beginning. Follow everyone on social media: Kimberly Tan: https://x.com/kimberlywtan Michael Chime: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchime/ ⏱ Topics Covered: 00:00 – Intro to Prepared 00:55 – Founding Story 02:32 – GTM Path Journey 04:34 – How Prepared Is Using AI To Solve Macro Problems For 911 Call Centers 07:12 – Customer Reactions To Using AI 09:08 – The Balance Of Augmenting The AI Work With Humans 11:57 – Managing Data Sensitivity 12:51 – Voice AI Integration 15:21 – Will AI Agents Handle 911 Calls? 15:59 – Customer Onboarding Process 17:14 – Prepared Employees: Tech Or Industry? 17:57 – Managing Company Culture 18:41 – The Role Of AI In Government And Public Services 20:28 – Prepared’s Scale And Future Trajectory 21:11 – Goals For 2025 🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on more conversations at the intersection of AI, public sector innovation, and the future of emergency response.