---
title: "Fact of the Week: In 2026, One-Third of Emergency Calls Will Be Made by Smart Devices"
summary: |-
  Experts believe that in 2026, smart devices, including smart watches, fitness trackers, and digital assistants, will trigger one-third of all emergency calls.
date: "2026-06-22"
issues: ["Internet"]
authors: ["Meghan Ostertag"]
content_type: "Blogs"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2026/06/22/in-2026-one-third-emergency-calls-made-by-smart-devices/"
---

# Fact of the Week: In 2026, One-Third of Emergency Calls Will Be Made by Smart Devices

**Source: **Dru Clarke, [“As smart devices change emergency calls, 911 centers must adapt,”](https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ems1.com%2Ftechnology%2Fas-smart-devices-change-emergency-calls-911-centers-must-adapt&data=05%7C02%7Cmostertag%40itif.org%7Cadf3f3a6567f426e1a9f08decd7029fc%7Cf8b8f0d8da6e48f28426d80bfac82e2a%7C0%7C0%7C639174078789532357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Kmb1L530Z2ckjuMLYttDGPwQnatwJZ0XIXunckC4WSc%3D&reserved=0) EMS1, November 6, 2025.

**Commentary: **Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart devices are playing an increasingly critical role in emergency responses. Experts believe that in 2026, smart devices, including smart watches, fitness trackers, and digital assistants, will trigger one-third of all emergency calls. Calls triggered by these devices can lead to shorter response times, as they quickly provide dispatchers with more data, including location and the type of incident. However, with the sheer volume of data these devices provide, there is a potential for them to overwhelm dispatchers. To combat this risk, dispatchers are also using AI-enabled tools to improve productivity and efficacy. Some of the tools they use include platforms that filter data to provide dispatchers with only the most critical information, and applications that prioritize emergency calls over non-emergency calls. AI has also been integrated into training simulators, allowing dispatchers to practice with realistic scenarios.

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*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2026/06/22/in-2026-one-third-emergency-calls-made-by-smart-devices/*