CONTEXT When an emergency or disaster puts lives at risk, resilient communications channels are among humanity’s most critical assets. Telecommunications networks can be used to coordinate rescue and relief efforts, and provide a lifeline to those affected - but natural disasters can also cause major disruption to telecoms infrastructure. MISSION This Catalyst, now in its fifth phase, is developing a disaster-handling virtual command center (VCC) - a virtual environment that increases operational efficiency and situational awareness and enhances decision-making for emergency services. It combines AI with autonomous networks (AN) and digital twins (DT) in a single interface to provide a comprehensive real-time view of operations, assets, and infrastructure. The VCC can be used to monitor and manage critical infrastructure and resources such as power grids, transportation, networks, and healthcare facilities, from a central location. Real-time situational awareness and mass alerting capabilities integrated into the VCC will also play a crucial role in ensuring timely responses and minimizing the impact of emergencies on communities. As part of its overarching mission as a tech for good initiative, the development of this disaster-handling virtual command center (VCC) not only enhances operational efficiency and decision-making but also contributes to societal resilience. PROJECT EXECUTION Where the previous phases of this Catalyst developed the reference architecture to combine AN, DT, and AI, the development of a VCC will showcase a reference implementation of this architecture. To develop the VCC, the Catalyst will integrate real-time data from multiple sources, and implement predictive analytics and decision intelligence based on AI. The VCC will also employ adaptive and resilient networks, intent-based automation, and virtual simulation and planning, with the help of digital twins. Once the project is completed, the VCC should enable emergency management teams to access critical data at any time, regardless of their location. It will also provide a 360-degree view of unfolding situations and the remaining assets, and help managers gather real-time data to inform the allocation of emergency services in the field. The effectiveness of the Catalyst’s VCC will be measured by key performance indicators related to the operational efficiency of the emergency services, such as activation time, response time, communication effectiveness, resource allocation, predictive analysis, and consistency of response. Its successes can be introduced by the wider emergency services sector and the benefits felt by citizens across the globe. As VCCs become established and AI systems become capable of supporting predictive analysis, emergency services won’t need to start from scratch every time an incident occurs. Over time, the VCC will enable standardization of emergency response procedures, leading to efficient, well-executed responses, and saving numerous lives in the process.