Large cities in California, Oregon and Texas are looking to artificial intelligence to combat call center staffing shortages and a backlog of resident calls. The ongoing U.S. staffing crisis has impacted the workforce across many organizations in what has been dubbed the "Great Resignation." No sector seems immune; 911 centers have been facing severe shortages that are causing both mistakes and delays in some areas. Some call centers, however, see AI as a way to bridge the gap between callers and the services they seek. AUSTIN, TEXAS: AI IN DISCUSSION For the Austin Police Department (APD), the staffing shortage started in late 2019, but the issue worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to APD Lt. Kenneth Murphy.