Key Takeaways
- The Baltimore City public high schools are using an AI system called Evolv to detect concealed weapons and enhance safety and efficiency.
- The $5.5 million, four-year contract has been implemented in 27 high schools, with 53 systems in total.
- The facial recognition component of the AI software is not used inside City Schools, and the weapons detection is only used at school entrances.
- The technology has not detected any guns in the last school year, and only one BB gun has been detected so far this year.
- The Baltimore City Council is questioning the cost of the technology and whether it is being used to its full potential.
Introduction to the AI System
The Baltimore City Council Public Safety Committee held a hearing on Tuesday to discuss the AI system being used in Baltimore City public high schools. The technology, known as Evolv, is a $5.5 million, four-year contract aimed at detecting concealed weapons and enhancing safety and efficiency. According to Baltimore City Public Schools, the system is being used in 27 high schools, with 53 systems in total. The school district members presented to the subcommittee, providing information on the technology and its implementation.
Functionality and Limitations of the AI System
The facial recognition component of the AI software is not used inside City Schools, and the weapons detection is only used at school entrances, not to monitor hallways and classrooms. In a pilot program, the systems processed about 14,000 entries each morning across the schools, with about 30% triggering alerts. However, the majority of these alerts were benign items like glasses cases, laptops, or water bottle containers. The technology did not detect any guns during the last school year, and so far this year, only one BB gun has been detected. This raises questions about the effectiveness and value of the technology, particularly considering its cost.
Cost and Value of the AI System
Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway, who chairs the public safety committee, questioned school members about the cost of the technology. Conway expressed concerns that the city may have overspent on a system that is not being used to its full potential. The system is supposed to have the ability to detect weapons and use AI to determine what type of weapon, but Baltimore City is not using it in that way. Instead, the system is only being used to detect whether certain devices are on a person’s body. This redundancy in the system makes Conway feel confident that it is safe, but he is unsure if the city got value for its money.
FTC Investigation and Redundancy in the System
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated Evolv, the company behind the AI system, and determined that it could not do what it claimed. Specifically, the FTC found that Evolv’s system could not use AI to detect different types of weapons, such as knives or BB guns. Baltimore City Schools tested the pilot and purchased the contract before the FTC report, which raises questions about whether the city paid for a system that is more sophisticated than it actually is. Conway’s concerns about the cost and value of the technology are valid, and it is essential to assess whether the city got what it paid for.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The use of AI systems in schools is a contentious issue, and the implementation of Evolv in Baltimore City public high schools is no exception. While the technology is intended to enhance safety and efficiency, its effectiveness and value are being questioned. The city council’s inquiry into the cost and functionality of the system is a step in the right direction, and it is essential to continue monitoring the technology’s performance and making adjustments as needed. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that the city’s schools are safe and secure, and that any technology used to achieve this goal is effective, efficient, and worth the investment.
