Can AI Help Save Lives? | Michael Chime (Prepared) x Kimberly Tan (a16z)

In this episode, a16z partner Kimberly Tan sits down with Michael Chime, the CEO and co-founder of AI emergency response platform Prepared, for a powerful conversation about how AI is transforming public safety — starting with 911 call centers.

They discuss how Prepared went from an idea in a Yale dorm room to a fast-growing platform augmenting emergency response nationwide. Michael shares insights into the company's go-to-market journey, the challenges of integrating voice AI into highly sensitive environments, and what it takes to build trust with government agencies.

Together, they also dive into the real-world impact of AI agents in emergency services, what "human-in-the-loop" really means in crisis moments, and why AI’s future in government is only just beginning.

Follow everyone on social media:
Kimberly Tan: https://x.com/kimberlywtan
Michael Chime: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchime/

⏱ Topics Covered:
00:00 – Intro to Prepared
00:55 – Founding Story
02:32 – GTM Path Journey
04:34 – How Prepared Is Using AI To Solve Macro Problems For 911 Call Centers
07:12 – Customer Reactions To Using AI
09:08 – The Balance Of Augmenting The AI Work With Humans
11:57 – Managing Data Sensitivity
12:51 – Voice AI Integration
15:21 – Will AI Agents Handle 911 Calls?
15:59 – Customer Onboarding Process
17:14 – Prepared Employees: Tech Or Industry?
17:57 – Managing Company Culture
18:41 – The Role Of AI In Government And Public Services
20:28 – Prepared’s Scale And Future Trajectory
21:11 – Goals For 2025
🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on more conversations at the intersection of AI, public sector innovation, and the future of emergency response.