tech
December 19, 2025
School security AI flagged clarinet as a gun. Exec says it wasn’t an error.
Human review didn’t stop AI from triggering lockdown at panicked middle school.
TL;DR
- ZeroEyes AI mistook a clarinet for a rifle, causing a lockdown at Lawton Chiles Middle School.
- The AI system's 'better safe than sorry' approach is defended by the company, despite the false alarm.
- School administration warned students about the dangers of holding ordinary objects as if they were weapons.
- Previous incidents show ZeroEyes and similar AI tools have confused shadows, prop guns, and even a Doritos bag for weapons.
- Critics argue that AI security tools are expensive, 'unproven,' and potentially lead to 'security theater'.
- ZeroEyes does not publicly share data on false positives or confirmed weapon detections.
- Some experts suggest schools might be better off investing in mental health services than AI security.
- Despite criticisms, Seminole County Public Schools plans to expand its use of ZeroEyes cameras.
- Concerns exist that frequent false alarms could lead to police fatigue or place students in danger during responses.
- The effectiveness and limitations of AI security technologies in schools are being questioned.
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