In a bid to bolster school safety across the United States, companies specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) are pressing lawmakers for state funds to equip schools with advanced technology capable of detecting firearms. This initiative comes as part of a broader effort to combat gun violence in educational institutions.
Kansas is poised to become one of the first states to offer up to $5 million in grants to schools that install surveillance cameras equipped with AI software capable of spotting individuals carrying guns. However, the requirements for the software are quite specific, demanding that the technology be patented, "designated as qualified anti-terrorism technology," compliant with certain security industry standards, already in use in at least 30 states, and capable of detecting "three broad firearm classifications with a minimum of 300 subclassifications" and "at least 2,000 permutations."
As of now, ZeroEyes appears to be the only company that meets the criteria for state firearms detection programs under laws enacted last year in Michigan and Utah, as well as bills passed earlier this year in Florida and Iowa, and legislation proposed in Colorado, Louisiana, and Wisconsin. The goal of this technology is to identify visible guns and quickly notify law enforcement, with the hope of preventing gun violence before it occurs.
The push for AI-based gun detection in schools has been met with mixed reactions. Some see it as a necessary step in ensuring the safety of students and staff, while others worry about the potential for false alarms and the ethical implications of such surveillance.
Critics of the legislation, like Jason Stoddard, director of school safety and security for Charles County Public Schools in Maryland, have expressed concern over the specificity of the requirements, suggesting that they may limit competition and innovation in the field.
Despite these concerns, the momentum for AI-based gun detection in schools continues to grow. Companies like ZeroEyes are at the forefront of this movement, offering their technology as a potential solution to the ongoing issue of gun violence in educational settings.
As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in school safety is likely to expand, with companies and lawmakers working together to ensure that schools are equipped with the tools necessary to keep students and staff safe.
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