Kansas schools are evaluating the adoption of artificial gun-detection technology to bolster safety on campuses, with a $5 million grant set aside in the education budget for this purpose. The technology, provided by ZeroEyes, utilises artificial intelligence to detect visible firearms through surveillance cameras and notify authorities promptly to prevent potential harm.
Kansas schools are considering implementing artificial gun-detection technology to enhance safety on campuses before the upcoming school year. The state has allocated a $5 million grant in this year’s education budget for schools to apply for the technology. This new measure aims to prevent weapons from causing harm on school property.
Only one company currently meets the required standards for this technology: ZeroEyes. The firm, founded by military veterans after the Parkland Shooting in Florida, uses artificial intelligence to identify visible firearms through surveillance cameras. When a gun is detected, an alert is sent to an operations center staffed by former law enforcement officers and military vets. Verified threats are then promptly reported to school officials and local authorities.
State Representative Kristey Williams, chair of the K-12 education budget committee, emphasizes the importance of constant monitoring for school safety. Missouri recently passed similar legislation, offering $2.5 million in matching grants for schools to purchase firearms detection software.
Despite support for the technology, there is skepticism regarding the legislative approach. Some, like Jason Stoddard, director of school safety in Maryland and chair of the National Council of School Safety Directors, criticize the specificity of bills that effectively single out ZeroEyes. He argues that prioritizing this technology may divert funding from other crucial safety measures like electronic door locks and security staff.
The initial rollout of this technology in Kansas aims to cover a portion of the state’s schools, with the potential for more extensive adoption as its effectiveness is demonstrated.