AI Detecting Gun Scanners at Schools has been a “Clusterf***”

Schools are legitimately trying to figure out ways to keep students safe from gun and other violence. Unfortunately, there are no simple ways to do this.

Some schools are trying to use AI to solve the problem, but the reality that schools are experiencing using this technology is, apparently, quite different from what is represented in the vendor’s marketing materials.

The vendor is Evolv Technology and they claim that their system uses artificial intelligence to detect guns and other concealed weapons by scanning people as they enter the building. They also claim they can do this without creating long lines.

The reality includes the fact that it also alarms if you bring keys into school or too many notebooks.

The reality also is that there are very long lines and it requires even more security staff to frisk the kids who set off alarms.

One recommended solution was to tell students not to bring so many notebooks to school. It also appears that the schools did not talk to existing customers before buying.

In addition, there is evidence that the way most schools are using the system is to turn down the sensitivity. This reduces false positives, but also makes it highly unlikely that it will detect guns.

On the other hand, school districts can say that they are spending millions on security. Even though there is no evidence that it works at scale.

It also appears that school districts that are spending millions on these systems are working with the vendor to figure out how to spin the reality.

Even the vendor was forced to admit that it would not stop shooters who were committed to mass shootings because they don’t care if people know they have a gun. They will just start shooting at the door, like the shooter at the Boulder King Soopers did last year.

So far, the Charlotte Mecklinsburg School district, which was featured in the article, found one gun using the system and there is no evidence that the student planned to use it in school. In fact, there are no public police reports of finding guns at any of the school districts using the systems.

Is it possible that these systems, causing mass inconvenience and large delays for students entering schools might detect a gun or two? Sure, it is possible, but not at the settings that the schools are using and not without massive delays for kids entering the schools. Is it possible that it might deter someone who really isn’t committed to mass murder? Also sure.

Is this a major example of SECURITY THEATRE? You bet it is.

Read the rest of the story at Vice.

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