Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence for Emergency Response

Abstract

This case study explores the ethical, technical, and societal implications of integrating Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into mass casualty incident (MCI) response systems. AR headsets powered by AI and computer vision could assist responders with triage, resource coordination, and real-time access to patient data and medical records. While these technologies promise to enhance efficiency and care outcomes, they raise significant concerns regarding data privacy, consent, bias, and surveillance. Sensitive data—such as facial recognition scans, medical histories, and home layouts—may be accessed by various responders, including police, leading to fears of legal repercussions and deterrence from care. Additionally, biases in training data and black-box AI behavior could perpetuate or exacerbate disparities in emergency care. The use of such systems in high-risk, high-stakes environments also demands rigorous validation, yet their very context complicates testing. The case emphasizes the urgent need for safeguards around consent, data governance, equitable outcomes, and responder accountability. It asks whether AI can or should assume life-and-death decision-making roles in chaotic, emotionally charged settings.