NYC to Pilot AI Gun Detection Technology on Subway System

Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday that New York City will soon commence testing technology leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to detect guns at subway turnstiles. This decision follows a recent incident at a Brooklyn subway station where a man was shot with his own gun after brandishing it during an altercation with another passenger.

The city has partnered with Evolv, a Massachusetts-based weapons detection company, to implement the technology. Evolv's detectors are currently deployed in schools and venues nationwide. However, the company has faced criticism regarding the accuracy of its machines, as well as scrutiny from two government investigations and a class action lawsuit filed by shareholders.The pilot program for the AI gun detection technology will commence in 90 days, as mandated by the POST Act, which requires the New York City Police Department to disclose and evaluate surveillance technologies before their implementation.

During this waiting period, Mayor Adams stated that the city will also evaluate other potential vendors to ensure thorough consideration of available options. Mayor Adams emphasized his commitment to embracing technological solutions, stating, "This city has a technology mayor. Bring us your technologies. Let us test it."Regarding the specifics of the pilot program, Adams did not disclose the locations or the number of scanners to be deployed.

However, it's noted that Evolv scanners are already in use at various prominent venues such as Citi Field, Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Additionally, Mayor Adams previously installed an Evolv scanner outside City Hall in 2022 following a shooting incident in Brooklyn. The city also conducted a similar pilot program with Evolv scanners at a Bronx hospital after a shooting incident occurred in the ER waiting room. Notably, numerous school districts across the country have implemented Evolv scanners in efforts to enhance campus security and prevent shootings.

Evolv's scanners resemble traditional metal detectors but incorporate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology. According to the company, these scanners utilize "safe, ultra-low frequency electromagnetic fields and advanced sensors" to detect concealed weapons. Evolv CEO Peter George has asserted that the scanners have the capability to detect virtually any type of weapon.

In a statement from 2021, George claimed, "We've written the signatures for all the threats that are out there: all the guns that exist, all the bombs, all the large tactical knives."Reports suggest that Evolv's technology may not perform as effectively as claimed. There have been instances where Evolv's scanners flagged harmless items like umbrellas as weapons, while failing to detect items designed to resemble firearms, such as aluminum and steel tubes cut to look like gun barrels.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the scanners' ability to accurately identify weapons, with some incidents reported where knives in students' backpacks were not detected, or lunchboxes were mistakenly identified as bombs.In 2022, an investigation by the surveillance industry research publication IPVM revealed that Evolv had funded testing conducted by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security. However, it was later reported that Evolv had edited the resulting report, which was supposed to be independent, removing information about the scanners' low detection rates for certain weapons. This raised questions about the transparency and reliability of Evolv's testing and reporting practices.

Despite facing inquiries from regulatory agencies and a class action lawsuit alleging misrepresentation, Evolv remains Mayor Adams' favored vendor for gun detection technology. The New York Daily News reported in 2022 that some of the mayor's prominent donors have significant investments in Evolv. In response to questions about potential conflicts of interest, Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of prioritizing effective technology for public safety. He stated that the decision to utilize Evolv's technology is driven by its potential to save lives, highlighting his obligation to introduce advancements that enhance security measures.

Critics of the pilot program have voiced concerns about the reliability of gun detection systems, citing frequent false alarms. The Legal Aid Society, New York City's largest public defender nonprofit, asserted that the city should not serve as a testing ground for surveillance corporations without public consent, highlighting potential ethical and privacy implications.

Mayor Adams acknowledged that violent crime, including gun-related incidents, remains relatively uncommon on the subway system. He pointed out that overall crime rates in the city have decreased by 16 percent from February to March. However, despite these statistics, polls indicate that many New Yorkers still perceive a growing sense of insecurity. Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of addressing public perceptions of safety, stating that statistics alone are not sufficient if residents do not feel secure in their environment.