Humans, AI, and Robots in Disaster Management Decision Making
Theme: Joint Human–AI Systems in an Agentic World (TDAI Speaker Series)
Speaker: Dr. Robin R. Murphy
Professor Emerita, Computer Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University
Professor (Courtesy), Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University
Date & Time: Friday, April 3, 2026 · 4:00–5:00 PM (ET)
Location: Pomerene Hall Room 350 (Project Zone)
Audience/Format: Research Seminar · Open to all
This seminar explores how humans, artificial intelligence, and robotic systems—particularly small unmanned aerial systems (UAS, or drones)—support tactical and strategic decision making during disaster response and recovery. Drawing on more than two decades of real-world deployments, Dr. Murphy examines how AI and robotics are currently used in emergency management and where meaningful advances can improve performance, safety, and trust.
Abstract
This talk provides an overview of the emerging role of small UAS (drones) and AI in supporting decision making for agencies with jurisdiction during disaster response and recovery. It presents a retrospective history of autonomous drone use in emergency response based on 24 deployments and explains why “autonomy” is often a misnomer in operational settings. While AI currently plays a limited role in flight control and navigation, it is increasingly central to interpreting and analyzing imagery collected during drone operations.
The talk traces the flow of data from UAS teams in the field through processing pipelines that transform imagery into actionable information, highlighting key stages where advances in AI and human–computer interaction can significantly improve outcomes. Dr. Murphy will discuss common sources of human error in drone operations and their underlying causes, and will introduce a model for the adoption of drones in disaster contexts that emphasizes transparency, trust, and usability. This framework aligns with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and NASA’s Technical Readiness Assessment, offering insight into how human-centered AI design can better support high-stakes, time-critical decision making.
Speaker
Robin R. Murphy is Professor Emerita of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University and Professor (Courtesy) in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. She is a leading expert in disaster robotics and human–robot interaction, with extensive experience deploying robotic systems in real-world emergency response operations.