Free webinar: AI ethics in crisis, risk and disaster communication
The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication will host a free webinar, "AI collaboration in managing crisis, risk and disaster," at noon on Feb. 24. The session brings together industry and academic experts to discuss how AI can support emergency communications without compromising ethics or public trust.
Expect a frank look at trust in AI-generated emergency messaging and practical ways to implement new tools while maintaining responsibility to the public. A Q&A will follow the discussion. Registration is free via the Page Center website.
Why this matters for PR and communications teams
AI can help teams move faster under pressure, but speed means nothing if people don't trust the message. This webinar digs into what works, what to avoid and how to keep humans in control of high-stakes decisions. If you're shaping crisis protocols, this session will give you clear steps and guardrails you can put to work immediately.
- Build trust into AI-assisted messaging (transparency, source credibility, human oversight)
- Set review workflows that stand up under pressure
- Strengthen scenario planning with data-informed simulations
- Measure effectiveness and correct fast when signals shift
Featured panel and moderator
- Alice Cheng, associate professor of communications, North Carolina State University
- Yan Jin, C. Richard Yarbrough professor in crisis communication leadership, University of Georgia
- Philippe Borremans, expert in risk, crisis and emergency communication
- Moderator: Gary Sheffer, former vice president of corporate communications at General Electric and Page Center advisory board member
What to expect
- Date and time: Feb. 24 at noon
- Format: Virtual panel with audience Q&A
- Cost: Free
- Who should attend: PR, communications, emergency management and public information teams
The Page Center, housed in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State, advances ethics and integrity in public communication. "This webinar reflects the very best of scholar and practitioner engagement. It features collaborative research conducted through our scholar/practitioner grant call featuring leading crisis communication scholars and practitioner experts," said Holly Overton, Page Center research director and associate professor of advertising/public relations. "This timely webinar directly supports the Page Center's mission - offering valuable, research-driven best practices for professionals while also offering meaningful insights for educators and students."
How to prepare your team before the webinar
- Audit your crisis playbooks for where AI is allowed, where it isn't and who approves outputs
- Define your human-in-the-loop checkpoints for accuracy, safety and tone
- Draft plain-language disclaimers and source labels for AI-assisted updates
- Pre-build message templates and escalation paths for false information and fast corrections
Registration
Registration is open and free. Visit the Page Center website to sign up and to learn more about the speakers and related initiatives.
Helpful resources
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework - solid guidance for risk, governance and oversight
- AI courses by job - practical training paths for PR and communications roles
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