A high school incident in Baltimore County, Maryland, has raised significant concerns over AI security technology after a student was mistakenly handcuffed for carrying a bag of Doritos, which was misidentified as a firearm.
Taki Allen, a Kenwood High School student, described the alarming situation to WBAL, stating, “I was just holding a Doritos bag — it was two hands and one finger out, and they said it looked like a gun.” He recounted being ordered to kneel, handcuffed, and searched as a result of the AI alert.
Principal Katie Smith addressed the incident in a letter to parents, detailing how the school’s security team assessed the situation and ultimately canceled the initial gun detection alert. Despite the cancellation, the school resource officer contacted local police, leading to a tense situation for the student.
Omnilert, the firm responsible for the AI detection system, expressed regret over the incident, stating, “We regret that this incident occurred and wish to convey our concern to the student and the wider community affected by the events that followed.” However, the company maintained that the system operated as designed.
Key Points:
- Incident Location: Kenwood High School, Baltimore County, Maryland.
- Student Involved: Taki Allen, holding a bag of Doritos.
- Response: Handcuffed and searched by authorities.
- Security System’s Stance: Omnilert claims the incident allowed the system to function as intended but acknowledges the concern.
This incident raises critical questions about the reliability and implications of AI technology in school safety protocols.
