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Anoka County <br />ADMINISTRATION <br />Communications <br />April 30, 2026 <br />Contact: Erik Thorson, Chief Communications Officer, 763-324-4612, or e-mail: <br />Erik.Thors onaanokacountvmn. Gov <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br />Anoka County AI -Assisted Non -Emergency Ca11 Taker in Testing Stages <br />Anoka County's Emergency Communication Center (ECC) is preparing to implement a <br />new artificial intelligence (AI) -assisted non -emergency call taker as part of its ongoing effort to <br />improve emergency response service. The AI call taker, Erica or Eric, will assist staff by gathering <br />critical information quickly and consistently, helping ensure callers receive timely support while <br />giving human call takers more capacity to handle high -priority emergencies. <br />The technology is expected to be fully launched this summer, with gradual testing <br />beginning in early May. 9-1-1 calls will still be answered by public safety telecommunicators. <br />Callers are urged to explain to Erica or Eric what is being reported when asked so the software <br />workflow works appropriately and efficiently. <br />To prepare for summer implementation, the ECC will begin short, live testing periods in <br />the coming weeks. These brief activation windows will help the system learn from real -world <br />interactions and allow staff to fine-tune performance. <br />"Our goal is to introduce this technology in a careful, transparent, and community -centered <br />way," said Kari Morrissey, Director of the ECC. "By starting with short test intervals and <br />expanding only as performance improves, we're prioritizing both safety and reliability." <br />A soft go -live is planned for early May. If the system performs well during that first week, <br />the ECC anticipates an official launch in mid -May. <br />Community members curious about how AI -assisted call taking works are invited to try <br />the system using a public demo line: 218-535-7675. The demo allows callers to experience AI's <br />questions and responses without reaching a live call taker. If it states it is transferring the call to <br />an agent, the call will simply disconnect. <br />-more- <br />Respectful, Innovative, Fiscally Responsible <br />Government Center A 2100 3rd Avenue, Suite 700 A Anoka, MN 55303-5024 A www.anokacountymn.gov <br />Office: 763-324-4700 A Fax: 763-324-5490 <br />Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer <br />