A recap on the third JESIP Research Symposium which explored how AI and emerging technologies might strengthen and/or create novel challenges for multi-agency emergency interoperability.

The third JESIP Research Symposium was held on 21st January 2026 in Manchester. It brought together 70 academics, practitioners, technologists and policymakers on the theme of “Preparing JESIP for the Future - The Role of AI and Technology”. Through a series of talks and interactive tasks, the symposium explored how AI and emerging technologies might strengthen and/or create novel challenges for multi-agency emergency interoperability. Specifically, we considered two key questions:

  1. How can AI be developed to support emergency team interoperability?
  2. What challenges might arise from the use of AI technology in emergency teams?

Talks

The day began with an opening address from Matthew England (National Strategic JESIP Manager) and Dr Olivia Brown (Associate Profession in Digital Futures, University of Bath), introducing key terms and concepts related to AI in the emergency response sphere. This was followed by a series of talks to highlight how AI was currently being used across the police, fire, and ambulance sectors. Dr Frank Long (NFCC AI Strategic Lead) spoke about governing, assuring and scaling AI across the UK fire sector, David Davis (Chief Clinical Information Officer, London Ambulance Service) presented innovative ways AI has been used to work with pre-hospital data, and T/Superintendent Lewis Lincoln-Gordon discussed lessons learned around delivering AI in policing effectively. The afternoon talks provided a deeper focus on examples of AI use, with Nick Dale and Jude Daniels-Smith from CGI demonstrating their “ChatEBP” (evidence-based policing) tool, and Lianna Roast (Head of Thought Leadership, UK Resilience Academy) critically reflecting on the use of AI for lessons management.

Discussion

As in previous symposia, we dedicated time to facilitating interactive discussions, where mixed tables of delegates reflected on the day’s talks alongside their lived experiences and expertise to consider how AI could be usefully and safely designed or leveraged to support emergency team interoperability. The key themes from these conversations have been grouped into three sections: (i) opportunities for AI to support interoperability; (ii) obvious and hidden risks of AI; and (iii) core requirements for designing an AI interoperability system.

For a full re-cap of the event, you can download the readout here.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank members of the 'JESIP Research Working Group', the presenters, delegates, and note takers for their invaluable contributions, which made this event a success and provided the inspiration for this readout.

Copyright Information

Image credit: © JESIP, LinkedIn