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Tech Can Avert Catastrophic Fires. What’s Missing Is Coordination
Embracing new technologies could help prevent routine fires from turning into catastrophes. But the United States lacks a coherent system for advancing and scaling these promising innovations.
bit.ly
It’s easy to assume catastrophic fires are the new American reality.
But they don’t *have* to be.
Writing on the anniversary of the LA fires, RAND’s Patrick Roberts says that by taking advantage of technology, "we may be able to create a future that avoids such devastation." bit.ly/4st0X5d
But they don’t *have* to be.
Writing on the anniversary of the LA fires, RAND’s Patrick Roberts says that by taking advantage of technology, "we may be able to create a future that avoids such devastation." bit.ly/4st0X5d
"The neat distinction between public or private actors' roles in war and warfare is being eroded. Geopolitical competition, crisis, and conflict are increasingly playing out in, over, and through the commercial sector." https://bit.ly/49oqOmh
The Changing Economic Dimension of Warfare
How can Western militaries and governments better leverage commercial technologies and firms to gain a strategic advantage in modern conflicts?
www.rand.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:51 PM
"The neat distinction between public or private actors' roles in war and warfare is being eroded. Geopolitical competition, crisis, and conflict are increasingly playing out in, over, and through the commercial sector." https://bit.ly/49oqOmh
The need for an effective international space traffic management system has never been more pressing.
This new report provides a roadmap:
This new report provides a roadmap:
How to Create 'Order in Orbit'
With space traffic and space debris on the rise, the need for an effective international space traffic management system has never been more pressing. What would it take to create, develop, and operat...
www.rand.org
January 10, 2026 at 2:13 PM
The need for an effective international space traffic management system has never been more pressing.
This new report provides a roadmap:
This new report provides a roadmap:
New report outlines a research agenda that can help improve rural health access and quality in West Virginia. ⬇️
How to Improve Health Care Access and Quality in Rural West Virginia
In rural West Virginia, health system strengths and weaknesses are interwoven with unique geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. Certain research priorities, promising programs, and communit...
www.rand.org
January 10, 2026 at 12:40 AM
New report outlines a research agenda that can help improve rural health access and quality in West Virginia. ⬇️
Jim Mitre has been named senior vice president and chief research officer at RAND.
Mitre will lead our U.S.-based research enterprise, set research priorities, and uphold RAND's standards for quality and independence. https://bit.ly/3L9ZXT4
Mitre will lead our U.S.-based research enterprise, set research priorities, and uphold RAND's standards for quality and independence. https://bit.ly/3L9ZXT4
RAND Appoints Jim Mitre as Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer
Jim Mitre, a national security and defense policy expert, will lead RAND's U.S.-based research enterprise, set research priorities, and uphold the institution's standards for quality and independence.
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Jim Mitre has been named senior vice president and chief research officer at RAND.
Mitre will lead our U.S.-based research enterprise, set research priorities, and uphold RAND's standards for quality and independence. https://bit.ly/3L9ZXT4
Mitre will lead our U.S.-based research enterprise, set research priorities, and uphold RAND's standards for quality and independence. https://bit.ly/3L9ZXT4
"Americans have transformed public risk systems before—in national security, earthquake preparedness, hurricane forecasting, and aviation safety—through coordination and smart investment. Wildfire should be next."
Read more: bit.ly/4st0X5d
Read more: bit.ly/4st0X5d
Tech Can Avert Catastrophic Fires. What’s Missing Is Coordination
Embracing new technologies could help prevent routine fires from turning into catastrophes. But the United States lacks a coherent system for advancing and scaling these promising innovations.
bit.ly
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
"Americans have transformed public risk systems before—in national security, earthquake preparedness, hurricane forecasting, and aviation safety—through coordination and smart investment. Wildfire should be next."
Read more: bit.ly/4st0X5d
Read more: bit.ly/4st0X5d
This week's anniversary is a reminder of what's at stake: homes burned, schools closed, communities displaced, public services strained, infrastructure damaged, air quality worsened.
It doesn’t have to be that way, Roberts says.
It doesn’t have to be that way, Roberts says.
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
This week's anniversary is a reminder of what's at stake: homes burned, schools closed, communities displaced, public services strained, infrastructure damaged, air quality worsened.
It doesn’t have to be that way, Roberts says.
It doesn’t have to be that way, Roberts says.
Creating an innovation-acceleration agency—similar to DARPA or ARPA-E—could help, says Roberts.
"Wildfire needs its own version of a federal coordination entity dedicated to connecting innovators, funders, researchers, fire agencies, utilities, and communities."
"Wildfire needs its own version of a federal coordination entity dedicated to connecting innovators, funders, researchers, fire agencies, utilities, and communities."
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Creating an innovation-acceleration agency—similar to DARPA or ARPA-E—could help, says Roberts.
"Wildfire needs its own version of a federal coordination entity dedicated to connecting innovators, funders, researchers, fire agencies, utilities, and communities."
"Wildfire needs its own version of a federal coordination entity dedicated to connecting innovators, funders, researchers, fire agencies, utilities, and communities."
That's the topic of a new RAND report by Roberts and colleagues: bit.ly/49s8Wa6
The study examines when and how innovation stalls out and recommends ways to strengthen the pipeline for wildfire technology innovation.
The study examines when and how innovation stalls out and recommends ways to strengthen the pipeline for wildfire technology innovation.
Using Technology to Improve Wildfire Management
Promising new technologies could help prevent and fight catastrophic wildfires. What obstacles prevent these innovations from being widely deployed?
bit.ly
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
That's the topic of a new RAND report by Roberts and colleagues: bit.ly/49s8Wa6
The study examines when and how innovation stalls out and recommends ways to strengthen the pipeline for wildfire technology innovation.
The study examines when and how innovation stalls out and recommends ways to strengthen the pipeline for wildfire technology innovation.
Promising technologies that could be used to combat wildfires already exist. These include satellites and sensors, AI models that can project fire spread, drones, and even new building materials.
So why aren’t these innovations widely deployed?
So why aren’t these innovations widely deployed?
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Promising technologies that could be used to combat wildfires already exist. These include satellites and sensors, AI models that can project fire spread, drones, and even new building materials.
So why aren’t these innovations widely deployed?
So why aren’t these innovations widely deployed?
It’s easy to assume catastrophic fires are the new American reality.
But they don’t *have* to be.
Writing on the anniversary of the LA fires, RAND’s Patrick Roberts says that by taking advantage of technology, "we may be able to create a future that avoids such devastation." bit.ly/4st0X5d
But they don’t *have* to be.
Writing on the anniversary of the LA fires, RAND’s Patrick Roberts says that by taking advantage of technology, "we may be able to create a future that avoids such devastation." bit.ly/4st0X5d
Tech Can Avert Catastrophic Fires. What’s Missing Is Coordination
Embracing new technologies could help prevent routine fires from turning into catastrophes. But the United States lacks a coherent system for advancing and scaling these promising innovations.
bit.ly
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
It’s easy to assume catastrophic fires are the new American reality.
But they don’t *have* to be.
Writing on the anniversary of the LA fires, RAND’s Patrick Roberts says that by taking advantage of technology, "we may be able to create a future that avoids such devastation." bit.ly/4st0X5d
But they don’t *have* to be.
Writing on the anniversary of the LA fires, RAND’s Patrick Roberts says that by taking advantage of technology, "we may be able to create a future that avoids such devastation." bit.ly/4st0X5d
"The way Gaza rebuilds in the next several years will determine whether this moment can break the region's long cycle of violence or become yet another false dawn."
How to Keep Gaza's Recovery from Becoming an 80-Year Project
The coming year will determine whether Gaza's recovery begins on realistic footing or remains in a quagmire. Getting the details right could give Palestinians what they have lacked for decades: not ju...
www.rand.org
January 3, 2026 at 12:35 AM
"The way Gaza rebuilds in the next several years will determine whether this moment can break the region's long cycle of violence or become yet another false dawn."
Today’s large language models—ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok—can write code and polish prose. But would you trust them to do your taxes?
RAND's @carterprice.bsky.social discusses in @wsj.com.
RAND's @carterprice.bsky.social discusses in @wsj.com.
Opinion | Would You Let Claude Do Your Taxes?
Preparing a return is the kind of task AI ought to be good for.
www.wsj.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Today’s large language models—ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok—can write code and polish prose. But would you trust them to do your taxes?
RAND's @carterprice.bsky.social discusses in @wsj.com.
RAND's @carterprice.bsky.social discusses in @wsj.com.
"Despite all the emphasis on STEM over the past decade or more, the uncomfortable truth is that U.S. schools are not designed to produce such excellence at scale."
Why U.S. STEM Excellence Is Often Accidental. Unlike China's
How do U.S. and Chinese approaches to math and science education differ? And what federal policy changes might help strengthen America’s edge in STEM?
www.rand.org
January 2, 2026 at 1:31 AM
"Despite all the emphasis on STEM over the past decade or more, the uncomfortable truth is that U.S. schools are not designed to produce such excellence at scale."
"AI companies … face powerful financial incentives to tune chatbots in ways that steadily heighten their appeal. It's easy, then, to imagine people intensifying their confidence and attachment toward chatbots where they could even serve as a deity." https://bit.ly/3YLRfxc
Are AI Companies Actually Ready to Play God?
As chatbots evolve into a daily tool for advice, emotional support, and spiritual guidance, how can we ensure that artificial intelligence truly benefits those who turn to it in moments of need?
www.rand.org
January 1, 2026 at 7:14 PM
"AI companies … face powerful financial incentives to tune chatbots in ways that steadily heighten their appeal. It's easy, then, to imagine people intensifying their confidence and attachment toward chatbots where they could even serve as a deity." https://bit.ly/3YLRfxc
As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the policy issues that defined our work this year—from strengthening the U.S. military and anticipating the future of AI, to competing with China, reimagining the Middle East, and improving U.S. health care.
2025 RAND Wrap-Up: Research That Defined Our Year
RAND's mission is clear: We tackle hard problems and tough questions, helping policymakers make informed, robust decisions amid risk and uncertainty. Here are some ways RAND supported decisionmakers i...
bit.ly
December 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the policy issues that defined our work this year—from strengthening the U.S. military and anticipating the future of AI, to competing with China, reimagining the Middle East, and improving U.S. health care.
"If people keep turning to chatbots for advice, entrusting them with their physical and mental health, what happens if they also begin using AI to get help from God, even treating AI as a god?" https://bit.ly/48Z8gKy
Are AI Companies Actually Ready to Play God?
As chatbots evolve into a daily tool for advice, emotional support, and spiritual guidance, how can we ensure that artificial intelligence truly benefits those who turn to it in moments of need?
www.rand.org
December 30, 2025 at 5:23 PM
"If people keep turning to chatbots for advice, entrusting them with their physical and mental health, what happens if they also begin using AI to get help from God, even treating AI as a god?" https://bit.ly/48Z8gKy
We asked public school–based pre-K teachers about their use of ed tech and generative AI in classrooms.
Here's what they said: https://bit.ly/490773Q
Here's what they said: https://bit.ly/490773Q
How Do Pre-K Teachers Use Educational Technology?
Approximately 30 percent of pre-kindergarten teachers reported at least some use of generative artificial intelligence for job-related purposes. Those who had received professional training in the tec...
bit.ly
December 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM
We asked public school–based pre-K teachers about their use of ed tech and generative AI in classrooms.
Here's what they said: https://bit.ly/490773Q
Here's what they said: https://bit.ly/490773Q
New report outlines West Virginia's rural health challenges—workforce shortages, chronic disease, infrastructure gaps, and access barriers—and describes a preliminary research agenda to guide improvements:
How to Improve Health Care Access and Quality in Rural West Virginia
In rural West Virginia, health system strengths and weaknesses are interwoven with unique geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. Certain research priorities, promising programs, and communit...
www.rand.org
December 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
New report outlines West Virginia's rural health challenges—workforce shortages, chronic disease, infrastructure gaps, and access barriers—and describes a preliminary research agenda to guide improvements:
"The way Gaza rebuilds in the next several years will determine whether this moment can break the region's long cycle of violence or become yet another false dawn."
How to Keep Gaza's Recovery from Becoming an 80-Year Project
The coming year will determine whether Gaza's recovery begins on realistic footing or remains in a quagmire. Getting the details right could give Palestinians what they have lacked for decades: not ju...
www.rand.org
December 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
"The way Gaza rebuilds in the next several years will determine whether this moment can break the region's long cycle of violence or become yet another false dawn."
As a researcher at RAND, Robert Lempert helps communities around the world plan for uncertain futures and survive disasters.
After his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, he's been helping his own community become a global leader in wildfire resilience. https://lat.ms/3Y4LDOy
After his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, he's been helping his own community become a global leader in wildfire resilience. https://lat.ms/3Y4LDOy
His computer simulations help communities survive disasters. Can they design a Palisades that never burns?
Robert Lempert, a RAND researcher who lost his home in the Palisades fire, hopes to use computer simulations, and his neighbors' ideas, to design a fire-resilient community.
www.latimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
As a researcher at RAND, Robert Lempert helps communities around the world plan for uncertain futures and survive disasters.
After his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, he's been helping his own community become a global leader in wildfire resilience. https://lat.ms/3Y4LDOy
After his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, he's been helping his own community become a global leader in wildfire resilience. https://lat.ms/3Y4LDOy
New report reconsiders the relevance of passive defenses in major war:
Reconsidering the Relevance of Passive Defenses in Major War
There are concerns within the U.S. military that investing in defenses diverts attention and resources from more offensive approaches. But passive defense may have relevance for future conflicts and s...
www.rand.org
December 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
New report reconsiders the relevance of passive defenses in major war:
Reposted by RAND
New survey data on public school pre-K teacher pay, benefits, and intentions to leave their jobs: https://bit.ly/4b34T6q
Pre-K Teacher Pay, Benefits, and Intentions to Leave
Pre-kindergarten teacher base salaries rose by about $1,600, on average, between 2024 and 2025 and they received fewer benefits. The share of those who intended to leave their jobs fell by around one-...
bit.ly
December 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
New survey data on public school pre-K teacher pay, benefits, and intentions to leave their jobs: https://bit.ly/4b34T6q
A new RAND study finds that many community college students drop out very early—after they register for classes but before enrollment is finalized.
This early attrition isn't related to motivation or academics. Rather, students are frustrated by administrative obstacles.
This early attrition isn't related to motivation or academics. Rather, students are frustrated by administrative obstacles.
The Students Who Disappear Before They Count
Community colleges are slowly rebounding from the pandemic, but many students disappear between applying and the first weeks of class. These early losses often stem from institutional hurdles, not aca...
www.rand.org
December 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
A new RAND study finds that many community college students drop out very early—after they register for classes but before enrollment is finalized.
This early attrition isn't related to motivation or academics. Rather, students are frustrated by administrative obstacles.
This early attrition isn't related to motivation or academics. Rather, students are frustrated by administrative obstacles.
One way to advance STEM education in the United States: create math and science departments in upper elementary grades.
Why U.S. STEM Excellence Is Often Accidental. Unlike China's.
How do U.S. and Chinese approaches to math and science education differ? And what federal policy changes might help strengthen America’s edge in STEM?
www.rand.org
December 21, 2025 at 2:12 AM
One way to advance STEM education in the United States: create math and science departments in upper elementary grades.