Integrated security: AI is a cost-effective path to safer schools

Nearly 1 in 4 public school teachers say their school had a gun-related lockdown last year, according to Pew Research. For the more than 50 million children in public schools, these lockdowns exact a heavy toll on their mental health. The constant threat of violence inflicts immense harm. Schools need a solution.

This is a pressing challenge for K-12 schools, which are entrusted with the education — and lives — of our children. Schools are intended to be the safe havens of our communities. Instead, across the nation and across every demographic, schools are grappling with how to create a welcoming and safe environment while managing the threat of a campus shooter. 

A layered security approach that utilizes emerging technology can serve as a force multiplier for school security personnel. AI detection technologies are particularly central in the fight to prevent school shootings. Weapon detection algorithms leverage existing security cameras to identify weapons and notify authorities before the unimaginable happens. 

AI monitoring watches for anything that could be a weapon and immediately sends the images to a command center, where trained personnel visually confirm or deny the alert. In as little as three seconds, the software notifies first responders and school authorities. Even if it takes minutes for first responders to arrive, a shooter will hear sirens at the school within seconds and be forced to decide whether to flee or continue. AI tools allow school authorities to immediately take action and enact lockdown procedures tailored to the threat’s location. These seconds can save lives. 

AI can do all this without ever compromising a child’s privacy. Paired with existing security cameras, the technology doesn’t record student behavior — it only detects weapons. Students and staff maintain their privacy unless a weapon is detected. Then — and only then — will video recording occur. 

Unsurprisingly, however, AI monitoring alone can still be circumvented. For instance, bathrooms are not under video surveillance, making them blind spots for AI monitoring. Schools can address this weakness by placing sensors in these private locations. Without recording visuals, these sensors can alert school administrators to the sound of gunshots or the need for security to intervene when a student calls out a security keyword. By deploying other technologies alongside AI, schools can create a more complete, layered security system around to detect, deter and slow a bad actor.

Detection is only half the battle. This is why a layered approach is a must. Glass entryways can easily be shattered with a single shot, providing assailants instant access. Bullet-resistant glass slows the process and buys precious time. When the assailant pulls the weapon to shoot the glass, AI cameras activate the weapon detection workflow, confirming the threat and alerting authorities. If the assailant fires their weapon, the glass will stop the round. Within moments, sirens will sound and first responders will be on their way, armed with the picture and location of the assailant. This layered model affords precious seconds for school authorities and on-site security to protect and defend the students and staff. 

Schools face difficult financial tradeoffs, with needs clamoring for more funding against limited budgets. Cost-effective AI solutions can act as a force multiplier to provide improved security for students and staff. AI protects schools’ resources and, most importantly, the children entrusted to them.

AI weapon detection, bullet-resistant glass, smart sensors, and concealed detection are not futuristic — these are all available today. Taking these preemptive measures now will protect generations of schoolchildren and can help save untold numbers of lives. Communities can now do more than just hope it doesn’t happen in their school.