CLUTTE, Texas – A high school in Texas went on lockdown earlier this week after an artificial intelligence security system determined that a student was on campus with a weapon, but it turned out to be a false alarm.
This image of students outside Brazoswood High School prompted a lockdown of the campus Wednesday morning.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said she received a text from her daughter saying she was “hiding”.
“She was scared. Her friends were scared. Her family was scared. Everyone was scared.”
The image was picked up by the school’s AI security system, ZeroEyes.
The technology notified ZeroEyes staff and relayed the image to the school.
The school then decided to go into lockdown.
“Our analysts erred from a safety perspective and said they believed this was indeed a rifle based on the image of the software and services we provide.”Dustin Brooks/ said Zero Eyes Chief Customer Officer.
Upon further investigation, this situation was determined to be a false alarm.
Officials said the area circled in red in the image was not a weapon.
“The background has brushes, shadows, and grooves from the background, all of which communicate with our software to understand how an individual’s arm is positioned as if they were holding an assault rifle. Dustin Brooks/ZeroEyes Chief Customer Officer
Brazosport ISD sent kprc2 the following statement: “In the past few months since implementing ZeroEyes, the system has taken other photos of potential weapons that were dismissed after ZeroEyes staff reviewed the images and before alerts were sent to authorities. ”However, yesterday was the first time a lockdown was actually imposed. ”
Parents have mixed feelings about the handling of Wednesday’s lockdown.
“But I think it’s one of those things where you’re safe and you’re sorry. But at the same time, it’s also like a werewolf boy. So, if you say, hey, oh, this is another AI incident. Then it’s another AI incident.” Oh, this is another false alarm, I pray to God it never happens here. ”
ZeroEyes officials say they would rather be safe than risk a dangerous situation.
The school system says it will add additional safety measures to prevent future incidents.