Summary of Prepared, which wants to 'revolutionize' emergency 911 calls, raises $27M | TechCrunch

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    Prepared: Revolutionizing 911 Calls with AI

    Prepared, a company that aims to revolutionize emergency calls, has raised $27 million in a Series B round led by Andreessen Horowitz. The company's technology focuses on enhancing communication between 911 dispatchers and callers, with a particular emphasis on leveraging AI to streamline the process and improve response times.

    • Prepared's platform allows dispatchers to receive real-time GPS location information from callers, if supported by their phone.
    • It enables dispatchers to receive and respond to texts and images, even offering video calls on iPhones with the Emergency SOS Live Video feature.

    AI-Powered Features for Enhanced Dispatcher Efficiency

    Prepared's platform incorporates a variety of AI-driven features designed to improve dispatcher efficiency and accuracy.

    • An AI-powered summarizer helps dispatchers quickly grasp the essence of calls by generating short summaries of incidents.
    • The platform transcribes calls in real-time, allowing dispatchers to easily review call details and identify important information.
    • AI-powered translation capabilities enable dispatchers to communicate with callers who speak different languages.

    Improving Accessibility for Spanish Speakers

    Prepared recently launched a tool that allows dispatchers to chat with Spanish speakers using an AI-generated voice. The platform transcribes and translates the dispatcher's speech and then reads the translation aloud over the phone.

    • This AI-powered feature aims to reduce the need for third-party translators, which can be time-consuming and hinder swift emergency response.
    • With a growing non-English speaking population, especially in larger cities, this feature addresses a critical need for improved accessibility in emergency calls.

    Prepared's Impact on Emergency Response Times

    The company believes that even a few seconds saved on each 911 call can significantly improve response times and ultimately save lives.

    • According to US regulators, reducing 911 response times by just a minute could save thousands of lives each year.
    • Prepared's technology is poised to revolutionize the way emergency calls are handled, potentially leading to faster and more efficient response times.

    Addressing the Concerns of AI Accuracy

    While AI offers numerous benefits, it's important to acknowledge the potential risks associated with its use.

    • AI systems, including summarization and translation tools, are known to sometimes produce inaccurate results.
    • Studies have shown that speech recognition systems may transcribe speech from certain demographics with greater accuracy than others.
    • Prepared emphasizes that its AI features are optional, providing dispatchers with the choice to utilize them based on their needs.

    Prepared's Future: Expansion and Innovation

    Prepared plans to use the $27 million in Series B funding to further develop its AI-powered platform, expand its go-to-market efforts, and hire additional staff.

    • The company envisions a future where Prepared serves as a comprehensive platform for optimizing the entire emergency response workflow, from the initial call to the arrival of first responders.
    • Prepared's commitment to leveraging AI for public safety is expected to drive innovation in the emergency response sector.

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