Calling 911 just got easier for tourists and expats thanks to this new AI feature

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Jul 2026) — Getting help during a crisis should not depend on what language you speak. This is especially true in a country that sees up to 500,000 tourists every month and hosts about 133,000 expats living here semi-permanently.Breaking the language barrierUnified 911 is rolling out AI-powered features designed to make emergency calls faster and more inclusive for everyone. A new system called NEXiS Connect can now automatically convert a caller's voice from their native language into English or Filipino in real time. This means if a Spanish or German visitor calls for help, the Pinoy dispatcher can understand the conversation instantly.Currently, the call handling system supports Spanish, Italian, German, French, Filipino, and English. More languages will be added as the system expands. By removing the need for third-party interpreters, emergency teams can cut down on response time when every second counts.Texting for help on FacebookIt is not just about voice calls anymore. Many travelers might not have a local SIM card or even know the local dial codes. To address this, tourists can now reach out through Unified 911 PH on Facebook Messenger.Through the NEXiS Message platform, dispatchers receive texts, photos, and even live video on a single interface. They can reply in English, and the AI translates their response back into the caller’s native language. This allows for clear communication between the command center and the person in distress.Building a more resilient nationThe timing of this launch coincides with National Disaster Resilience Month. Robert Llaguno, the country head of NGA Philippines, says that knowing language barriers are gone helps make the country a more competitive, "smart tourism" destination."In life-or-death scenarios like cardiac arrest, crimes in progress or blazing fires, a delay of even just 60 seconds can be fatal," Llaguno explained. He noted that real-time translation allows dispatchers to guide a foreign caller through critical procedures like CPR or finding an escape route without communication errors.The technology is also designed for extreme conditions. Because it is cloud-native, the system ensures that even if a physical command center is flooded by a typhoon, emergency routing can move to another location without dropping calls.