Controversy Erupts Over AI Gun Detection Pilot in NYC Subways

Published on July 30, 2024

New York City has launched a 30-day pilot program deploying AI-powered metal detectors in the subway system, targeting gun detection. Announced on July 26, the program uses scanners from Evolv Technology, randomly screening every fifth, tenth, or twentieth passenger. While the initiative aims to prevent shootings and enhance safety, civil liberties groups, including the Legal Aid Society and New York Civil Liberties Union, are preparing legal actions, arguing that the technology violates constitutional rights and lacks public consent.

The pilot, following concerns raised by a 2022 Brooklyn subway shooting, has drawn mixed reactions. Some riders appreciate the potential safety benefits, while others worry about privacy infringements and false positives. Previous tests at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx revealed an 85% false alarm rate, raising doubts about the scanners’ reliability. Evolv Technology also faces lawsuits and regulatory inquiries over the accuracy of their products. The debate continues as the scanners rotate through different subway stations, keeping their locations undisclosed.

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