Philadelphia Halts AI Gun-Detection Pilot Amid Safety Struggles

Published on March 20, 2024

In a follow-up to our previous coverage of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)‘s announcement of a pilot program with ZeroEyes aimed at reducing gun violence in Philadelphia’s transit system, recent developments have led to the termination of the initiative. SEPTA decided to end its contract with ZeroEyes due to compatibility issues between the AI technology and its mostly analogue camera system. This decision is part of a larger reevaluation of firearm detection technologies amid concerns over their effectiveness and ethical implications. Plans are now in place to reallocate the $5 million state grant originally allocated for the project towards upgrading SEPTA’s camera systems and other technological improvements to enhance safety in the transit system. The news comes against a backdrop of continued and shocking gun violence on Philadelphia’s transit system, and other major US cities like New York, where National Guard soldiers have been deployed in the metro system.

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