US student handcuffed after AI system apparently mistook bag of chips for firearm | Baltimore

An artificial intelligence system (AI) apparently mistook Doritos in a high school student’s bag for a firearm and called the local police to report that the student was armed.

Taki Allen was sitting with friends outside Kenwood High School in Baltimore on Monday night and eating a snack when armed police officers approached him.

“At first, I didn’t know where they were going until they came towards me with guns in their hands and said, ‘Get down.’ And I said, ‘What?'” Allen said. I thought.” He told WBAL-TV 11 News television station.

Allen in question They made him kneel, handcuffed him, and searched him, but they found nothing. They then showed him a copy of the image that triggered the alert.

“I just had a bag of Doritos with two hands and one finger sticking out, and they said it looked like a gun,” Allen said.

Baltimore County high schools last year began using a gun detection system that uses school cameras and artificial intelligence to detect potential weapons. If it detects something it believes is suspicious, it sends an alert to the school and law enforcement.

In a letter sent to school families by WBAL TV 11 News, the school wrote: “We understand how distressing this situation is for both the person sought and the other students who witnessed the incident. Our counselors will provide direct support to the students involved and will also be available to meet with students who need support.”

baltimore county police he told the outlet: “Officers assigned to Precinct 11-Essex responded to Kenwood High School on a report of a suspicious person with a gun. Upon arrival, the person was searched and it was determined that the individual was not carrying any weapon.”

Allen’s grandfather, Lamont Davis, told the television station: “No one wants this to happen to their child. No one wants this to happen.”