In Part 1 of A New Revolution: How AI is Transforming Disaster Resilience, host Rachael Penton Gauthier sat down with IBHS Director of AI Research Dr. Hesam Fallahian to trace the sweeping history of artificial intelligence—from its roots in science fiction and pop culture to its emergence as a real-world force reshaping how humans live and work. The episode explored the major technological revolutions—agricultural, industrial, and information—and how AI is poised to become the next game‑changer. The conversation followed the evolution of AI, from early concepts and landmark breakthroughs to the rapid rise of generative AI and large language models like ChatGPT.

In Part 2, Dr. Fallahian returns to dive into the real-world impact of artificial intelligence on disaster resilience, exploring how AI is transforming weather forecasting, risk assessment, and insurance—making communities safer and smarter. This episode also highlights cutting-edge research at IBHS, the rise of AI agents and behavioral models, and the challenges and risks that come with these powerful new tools. Plus, listeners get a glimpse of what’s ahead for the future of AI.