Generative AI programs can create a surge of bogus images, videos and audio at a moment's notice, often damaging trust and credibility across critical infrastructure sectors. Our brains can't keep up, but what about AI detection software? This week, we chat with Dr. Jason Davis of Syracuse University and Dr. Tony Yao of Sam Houston State about how AI technology is outrunning our cognitive abilities and legal frameworks, and how emerging software may help close the gap.
Join the conversation at the IHS Thought Leaders Conference, October 15, 2024 at The Woodlands Center.

Cyberattacks are becoming unavoidable in healthcare - and they're evolving quickly. Mike Mastrangelo, the associate vice president for institutional preparedness at the University of Texas Medical Branch, chats with us this week about clinical continuity frameworks and strategies for staying one step ahead of cybersecurity threats.

Is it worthwhile to invest in AI sensors to measure traffic flow and road stress? Alston German says yes - and it could be a big benefit for predictive maintenance and transportation planning throughout Texas.  For a deeper investigation, read Alston's paper, AI in Critical Infrastructure for Transportation.
For more information about the IHS Thought Leaders Conference coming in October, click here.

What safety or security concerns do you have? Would you enjoy a gamified cybersecurity exercise, or would you be worried if your boss came by with a checklist? This week, we talk with Dr. Robert Emery and John Suarez about collaborative risk management techniques, strategies for reducing "oblivious" cybersecurity threats and resources for disease outbreaks at the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute. Dr. Robert Emery is the Vice President for Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Professor of Occupational Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health. John Suarez is a project manager for the health and public health sector at the Institute for Homeland Security.

Preparing for pandemics and outbreaks comes down to logistics and planning. That's challenging enough for major healthcare providers, let alone rural hospitals. This week, we chat with Dr. Corri Levine and Kara Marshall from the Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment Readiness & Education Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch about resources and nuts-and-bolts approaches to pandemic preparedness.

We also talk about SPECTRE's weekly newsletter monitoring outbreaks, as well as resources from the WHO and CDC.

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, we sit down with Space City Weather's Eric Berger and Matt Lanza to discuss forecasting and communication challenges for meteorologists and emergency planners. We also touch on artificial intelligence forecasting, emergency planning and the importance of investing in a resilient energy grid. You can find their work at Space City Weather and The Eyewall.

This week, we chat with Dr. Thomas Watson, Senior Fellow for Homeland Security at The Center for Climate and Security
about integrating modern artificial intelligence into the Texas electrical grid.
https://ihsonline.org/research/sponsored-research
After that, we explore digital professional training and education with Bryce Allen, Emergency Manager, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Could some training modules be shorter, or touch on major events? Could they be podcasts?
https://ihsonline.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tvUbiG11_Ak%3d&portalid=0

You've been in an industrial accident nowhere near a road. EMTs arrive and determine they need something from the ambulance. No problem - just send the drone. This week, we talk with Dr. Javier Ramos about how first responders are embracing drone technology, plus some of their risks and complications. We also chat with Griselda Muñoz about plans and policies to prevent workplace violence.

How can Texas preserve its energy security while juggling competing interests in traditional and green energy? Could we adapt our existing energy infrastructure to convert natural gas into powdered carbon and clean hydrogen? In the first of a new series of episodes on sponsored research at the Institute for Homeland Security, we chat this week with Benjamin Dierker, the executive director of the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure, about emerging methods to separate - and sell - carbon from hydrogen in natural gas. You can find IHS sponsored research here, and we also mention Modern Hydrogen and Northwest Natural.

In this rain-delayed episode, Grant and Marcus explore communication infrastructure and how to safely navigate the shark-infested waters of digital and social media. Marcus unpacks some of the strategies from his media literacy class, including the importance of corroboration and transparency, plus some healthy skepticism of Canadian brisket. We discuss preserving communication in practical ways and best practices for finding accurate and reliable information online. Shout outs to SHSU Online for hosting us and to Space City Weather and the Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart, which both come up in the conversation. Also - the next Thought Leaders conference has been postponed to the fall.