Can AI identify safety threats in schools? One district wants to try

A Virginia county s schools will use an artificial intelligence system to help identity fights, bullying or other potential safety threats on campuses...

A Virginia county’s schools will use an artificial intelligence system to help identity fights, bullying or other potential safety threats on campuses.

The system, from a local tech company, VOLT AI, will use AI to monitor video footage from the Loudoun County school district’s existing security cameras to spot incidents that might require staff intervention, such as the presence of weapons or other safety threats or medical emergencies. The cameras are used only in common areas, not bathrooms or locker rooms.

When the AI system detects a potential situation, VOLT staff will first try to verify the incident, then send an alert to school personnel with information about what is happening and where in the school. The verification process adds a short delay for responding, but it is designed to ensure there are no false positives, said Dmitry Sokolowski, co-founder of VOLT.

"Most organizations don’t have enough people to get everywhere at once, right? And you never can predict where things could happen,” Sokolowski said. "With a system like ours, it allows the personnel on the ground in the school to be able to respond in such a quick turnaround.”

Loudoun schools spokesman Dan Adams said the new software is part of a broader effort to increase security starting next school year. Other upcoming initiatives include a clear-bag policy for football games and a weapon detection pilot program to test walk-through scanners at some sporting events.