Artificial intelligence

Experts at the Accademia delle Scienze di Torino discussed how AI could strengthen crisis and emergency management while warning that its deployment raises challenges around data quality, public trust, human oversight and digital sovereignty.

The discussion framed AI in crisis management as a governance challenge rather than simply a technical opportunity. Speakers examined issues including data quality, AI testing, digital sovereignty, misinformation, education and skills shortages.

Participants agreed that evaluating AI during real-world emergencies remains difficult because every crisis is unique and reliable benchmarks are hard to establish. Several speakers argued that effective deployment will depend on public trust, digital literacy and clear accountability.

Professor Tina Comes, who led the SAPEA Working Group behind the evidence review, cautioned against treating AI as a universal solution. She said AI systems depend heavily on the quality and availability of data and may struggle when confronted with situations that differ from their training data or previous operational experience.

Comes also warned against excessive reliance on AI during emergencies. Referring to the ‘Goldilocks dilemma’, she argued that authorities need to use AI effectively without allowing it to weaken human expertise. She called for stronger data preparedness, harmonised standards, training, strategic autonomy and human-centred AI.

Professor Rémy Slama, representing the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, said crisis situations involve uncertainty, time pressure, sensitive data and complex coordination. He argued that decisions about AI in crisis management cannot be treated as purely technical, particularly where accountability, democratic participation and meaningful human oversight are concerned.

Speakers also discussed practical uses of AI in emergency response. Professor Piero Boccardo of the Polytechnic University of Turin demonstrated how AI is transforming the use of Earth observation data through foundation models and AI agents that enable emergency responders to analyse satellite imagery using natural language.

Dr Thomas Kox of the Weizenbaum Institute presented findings from a survey of around 90 international weather experts. Respondents expected AI to improve warning systems but also expressed concerns about reduced human involvement, growing private-sector influence and potential conflicts between AI-generated information and official public messaging.

Professor Emilija Stojmenova, Slovenia’s former Minister of Digital Transformation, focused on misinformation during crises. She said AI can accelerate the spread of false information but can also help identify reliable information and support life-saving interventions when deployed responsibly.

The panel discussion covered data quality, AI testing, digital sovereignty, misinformation, education and skills shortages. Participants agreed that testing AI tools in real-world emergencies remains difficult because each crisis is different and reliable benchmarks are hard to establish.

Why does it matter?

AI has the potential to improve emergency warnings, satellite analysis and crisis coordination, but its effectiveness depends on high-quality data, human oversight and public trust. The Turin discussion highlighted that successful AI deployment in emergencies requires governance, preparedness and accountability alongside technical capability.

The debate also reflects a broader shift in AI governance, with crisis management increasingly viewed as a public policy challenge involving digital sovereignty, misinformation, resilience and institutional capacity rather than simply the adoption of new technology.

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