High school’s AI security system confuses Doritos bag for a possible firearm
A high school student in Baltimore County, Maryland, was reportedly handcuffed and searched after an AI security system flagged his bag of chips as a possible firearm.
Taki Allen, a student at Kenwood High School, told CNN affiliate WBAL“I was just holding a Doritos bag – there were two hands and one finger out, and they said it looked like a gun.” But as a result, Allen said, “They made me get down on my knees, put my hands behind my back and handcuffed me.”
In a statement shared with parents, Principal Katie Smith said the school’s safety department reviewed and canceled a weapon detection alert, while Smith (who did not immediately realize the alert had been canceled) reported the situation to the school resource officer, who called local police.
Omnilert, the company that operates the AI gun detection system, told CNN: “We regret that this incident occurred and would like to convey our concerns to the student and broader community affected by the events that followed.” Nevertheless, Omnilert said “the process functioned as intended.”
