Marietta schools to install artificial-intelligence weapons detection system
AI weapons detection system approved unanimously
Marietta City Schools will implement artificial intelligence to detect weapons on campus, following a unanimous vote by the school board on Tuesday night.
MARIETTA, Ga. - Marietta City Schools will implement artificial intelligence to detect weapons on campus, following a unanimous vote by the school board on Tuesday night.
The $46,785 contract with Alliance Technology Group will equip all 12 campuses with AI-powered surveillance.
What we know:
The AI system will analyze existing security camera feeds to detect firearms and some knives.
If a weapon is spotted, notifications will be sent within seconds to Marietta Police and school administrators.
"MPD will get a text message within seconds of that weapon being visible to that camera," said Brian Wallace, Marietta City Schools' safety specialist.
Superintendent Grant Rivera told FOX 5 it's just one of the tools they're using to keep kids safe.
"We want to make sure that we have multiple layers to protect our students and staff," he said.
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The backstory:
School districts across Metro Atlanta have been increasing security following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.
Schools in Gwinnett County have piloted a clear-backpack mandate and a similar weapons detection system.
The other side:
Some people criticize the effectiveness of the AI weapons detection technology.
A school outside Nashville invested $1 million in a similar system, which failed to notify authorities when a student shot two of his classmates on Jan. 22.
Despite the investment, Rivera acknowledged the system's limitations.
"By no means do we believe that AI weapons detection is going to be foolproof or perfect," he said. "What we believe is that we have to train staff, we have to support staff, we have to do drills, and we have to put other types of layers in place for overall safety in schools."
Wallace noted that the district is in the early stages of testing the technology. "We’re going to kind of a test phase to make sure this is something that’s going to be effective," he said.
What's next:
The AI system will be rolled out in the coming weeks, with the contract covering one year of service.
"When it comes to safety in Marietta, we’re going to not underreact. We’re going to overreact," Rivera said.
Rivera also indicated that the district is exploring additional security options, including pass-through weapons detection systems similar to those used at stadiums.