In this episode, we explore how synthetic media—specifically deepfakes—are no longer just online hoaxes but are fast becoming a critical operational threat for emergency management. Drawing on Micah Gaudet’s piece “Deepfakes in Disasters: The New Operational Threat for Emergency Management,” we examine how disasters rely on speed, trust, and clear communication—and how manipulated audio-visual content can disrupt those foundations. linkedin.com

We discuss:

• Why deepfakes aren’t just about identity theft or memes—they may undermine the first hours of crisis response.

• How emergency operations built for clarity and coordination can be thrown off by credible but false imagery, false instructions, or mis-info timed to sow confusion.

• What public-safety and local government leaders must do now: build detection awareness, craft communication resilience, and update incident playbooks to include not just physical threats but synthetic media threats.

• Practical steps for cities and agencies to harden operations against deepfakes and regain control of trust when every second counts.

If you’re responsible for public safety, emergency planning, city management, or simply want to understand how tech-driven risks are evolving faster than policy and training—this episode offers a clear wake-up call and a path toward preparedness.

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