Kansas is considering providing up to $5 million in grants to schools so they can install surveillance cameras with AI systems that can identify people carrying guns. However, this plan needs approval from the governor and schools must meet specific requirements.
The AI software must have a patent and be recognized as anti-terrorism technology. It must also meet security standards, be used in at least 30 states, and be able to detect various types of firearms and their configurations.
Currently, only one company meets all these criteria: ZeroEyes. Founded by military veterans after a tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, ZeroEyes is rapidly expanding.
This legislation reflects the growing school security industry, valued in billions, especially after several high-profile shootings. It also shows how some companies influence state laws to favor their own technologies, as seen in other states like Michigan, Utah, Florida, Iowa, Colorado, Louisiana, and Wisconsin.