Google is promising more than $4 million in grant funding for Australian projects creating technology that will help with crisis response, preparedness and resilience for crises to come. According to a blog post by Google Australia managing director Mel Silva, the tech giant has already been working with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency to identify areas where technology can play a role in solving problems for communities. The new crisis fund will give a cash boost to projects creating innovative technology, said Silva, with a special focus on artificial intelligence technology. "Through the new Crisis Response and Recovery Fund we will work with the Australian Government, academia, non-profits and community groups to find and support projects that use emerging technology, particularly AI (Artificial Intelligence) to help with crisis response, preparedness and resilience," she said. Projects will be assessed and chosen by a panel of technology experts, Silva said.

Crisis events, like the 9.11 attack, Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami devastation, have dramatic impact on human society, economy and environment. The crisis response term is defined as the immediate protection of property and life during the crises events to reduce deaths and injuries. Crisis response requires urgent action and the coordinated application of resources, facilities, and efforts. It includes actions taken before the actual crisis event (e.g., hurricane warning is received), in response to the immediate impact of a crisis, and as sustained effort during the course of the crisis. Depending upon the magnitude and complexity of the crisis, response may be a large-scale and multiorganizational operation involving many layers of authorities, commercial entities, volunteer organizations, media organizations, and the public.