Abu Dhabi deploys AI-Driven drones as first responders to emergencies and disasters

Abu Dhabi is embracing AI-driven drones as their primary responders for emergencies and disasters, according to Shaikha Khamis Al Azeezi, director of the Business Continuity and Alternative Services Department at the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre (ADCMC). At the Military Medicine exhibition, ADCMC showcased a drone service alongside AI tools to maintain the city's functioning during crises.

The drone technology can navigate through fire flames, providing response teams with information such as safe evacuation routes. It can also detect water accumulation in severe weather and navigate to remote or challenging locations for search and rescue, equipped with cameras and sensors. ADCMC aims to increase efficiency through these innovations.

A noteworthy project presented by ADCMC is a business continuity standard for the health sector, developed in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH). This global first standard outlines roles and responsibilities for hospitals before, during, and after incidents, enforced by an AI tool for external audits.

ADCMC has been active since 2021, conducting awareness campaigns and developing a readiness index to assess organizations' emergency preparedness. The centre also introduced Jaheziya, an online system that simulates various incidents to evaluate the maturity of different entities' response roles.

Additionally, AIN, a fully agentic AI tool, supports ADCMC's processes by providing AI agents for business continuity, risk assessment, operations, and exercises. Looking ahead, Al Azeezi envisions Abu Dhabi leading the Emirates in automation, with AI tools deepening the city's emergency framework to ensure readiness for any emergencies or crises.