Why We’re Wired to Believe (and Spread) Misinformation

When a crisis hits, the flow of information can be as unpredictable as the event itself. Today, a new complication arises: AI-generated misinformation. With the ability to create lifelike fake images, videos, and “official” statements, misinformation can shape public perception before the real facts come to light.

This situation reveals a major challenge in crisis response: fact-checking. During emergencies, misinformation often spreads faster than it can be verified, leaving a lasting impact on public opinion and even on policy decisions. The delay in truth creates a gap that misinformation eagerly fills. And, over time, these gaps fuel a larger issue—“truth decay,” or the gradual erosion of public trust in reliable information. Addressing this problem takes more than just traditional fact-checking; it requires rethinking how we communicate the truth in real-time.

Why is This Relevant?

In an era where misinformation can spread faster than ever, organizations need to be prepared for crises on all fronts—both operationally and in terms of communication.

Our upcoming course, Innovative Crisis Exercises: From Design to Execution, is designed to equip professionals with the skills to plan, run, and evaluate crisis exercises that reflect today’s unique challenges. With modules covering everything from realistic scenario development to adaptive facilitation techniques, this course helps you build crisis exercises that test not only operational readiness but also the ability to navigate the information landscape effectively.

Whether you're preparing for a natural disaster, a cyber-attack, or a public relations crisis, the tools and frameworks in this course will strengthen your organization’s resilience and sharpen your crisis response. In a world where misinformation and “truth decay” complicate every crisis, these skills are essential.

Upcoming Course - Innovative Crisis Exercises: From Design to Execution

Is your crisis training more than just a "check-the-box" exercise?

Our upcoming course, "Innovative Crisis Exercises: From Design to Execution," led by expert Sophia Klewer, dives deep into advanced strategies that prepare your organization for complex, real-world challenges:

• Cascading Events: Develop scenarios where one crisis triggers another, pushing your team to adapt strategies in real time for a true test of resilience.
• Psychological Safety in High-Stress Exercises: Learn how to foster resilience and build team confidence without crossing into burnout. Discover methods to create intense but supportive training environments.
• Cross-Functional and Sector-Wide Coordination: Real crises demand smooth coordination across teams and organizations. Gain practical strategies to navigate friction points and build a seamless, cohesive response.

Stay tuned, we're releasing this course soon, and because you're subscribed to our newsletter, you'll be the first to know!

Podcast: Innovative Crisis Exercises: From Design to Execution

How can crisis simulations help your organization be better prepared for real challenges?

In our latest episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, we speak with crisis simulation expert Sophia Klewer from PREVENCY. Sophia works with organizations across different sectors—from government and military to private industry—to help them handle real-world crises. Together, we explore how crisis simulations can help teams work smarter and respond faster when it matters most.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why "controlled complexity" is key to effective crisis simulations and how it ensures your team isn’t overwhelmed
• Cross-sectoral insights that reveal what the military, government, and private sectors can learn from each other
• How situational awareness and cross-departmental communication are critical skills in high-stakes scenarios
• The evolving role of technology and the misconceptions around AI’s place in crisis preparedness
• What the future holds: From climate change to hybrid threats, discover emerging crisis trends that every organization should prepare for

Sophia brings a wealth of experience, and her perspective on evolving global threats is a must-hear for anyone involved in crisis readiness.

Check out the full episode to stay ahead in your crisis preparedness strategy!

Listen on the platform of your choice, from Spotify , Apple Podcasts , to YouTube .

Upcoming Symposium: Climate and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

What does it take to build infrastructure that withstands the growing challenges of climate change and natural disasters?

The ARISE Symposium on Climate and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, happening on November 25, 2024, brings together leaders from the public and private sectors, including infrastructure developers, real estate professionals, and members of the ARISE network, to address the real-world needs of ensuring disaster and climate resilience.

This hybrid event is based in Dubai and available online, where experts will explore the latest trends, tools, and solutions for resilient infrastructure.

Here’s a glimpse inside the event agenda:

• Cutting-edge strategies and tools to make infrastructure climate-resilient and disaster-ready
• Lessons from recent events, such as the 2024 Dubai floods, and how resilience investments can pay off
• The importance of cross-sector collaboration for sustainable and resilient infrastructure
• Innovations in risk knowledge, adaptation, and resilience efforts led by ARISE UAE and other global networks

This is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the built environment, investment in resilient infrastructure, and disaster preparedness.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to build your knowledge and network in climate-resilient infrastructure. Register now!

What We’re Reading…

• Leveraging AI for Effective Emergency Management and Crisis Response . AI enhances emergency management but can't replace human judgment and empathy. Effective crisis response requires AI-human collaboration, addressing data and ethical challenges. While promising, AI has limits in complex situations. Organizations should integrate diverse AI tools to improve crisis response.
• How S&T Supports the Next-Generation Emergency Operations Center | Homeland Security . S&T introduced the Community Lifeline Status System (CLSS) to help emergency managers assess and communicate critical information during disasters, improving decision-making and resource allocation. Amid increasing severe weather and complex threats, S&T partners with FEMA to create a platform that unifies response systems and standardizes incident management, ensuring efficient communication and resource prioritization in emergencies.
• Extended Reality Training for Mass Casualty Incidents: A Systematic Review on Effectiveness and Experience of Medical First Responders . XR training enhances medical first responders' skills in mass casualty incidents. A review of 18 studies across 8 countries shows improved triage accuracy, treatment precision, and overall performance. Participants reported high satisfaction and relevance of the training.
• AI-assisted Diplomatic Decision-Making During Crises—Challenges and Opportunities . The paper discusses the role of AI in enhancing diplomatic decision-making during crises, highlighting challenges such as transparency and data privacy. It emphasizes the need for collaboration in developing AI tools that improve crisis response while maintaining fairness and trust. The authors analyze past crises and advocate for AI's potential to provide strategic insights beyond traditional methods.

Looking For a Career Change? Check Out These New Openings…

• Job title: Country Representative
• Job title: Country Director Location: Palestine
• Job title: Global Lead (CEO) for Talk to Loop
• Job title: EMERGENCY FIELD COORDINATOR (F/M) Location: Yemen
• Job title: Country Director, Ethiopia

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Helping you to better serve and build more resilient communities,

The Team at Crisis Lab