US Regulator to Restrict Evolv Technology’s AI Scanner Claims Following BBC Reports

A proposed settlement with the US government will prohibit Evolv Technology, a US weapons scanning firm, from asserting unsubstantiated claims regarding its products. Evolv Technology had previously asserted that its AI scanner, deployed at the entry points of thousands of US schools, hospitals, and stadiums, was capable of detecting all weapons. However, investigations conducted by the BBC revealed these assertions to be inaccurate. Evolv stated that it has finalized an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) but has not acknowledged any wrongdoing. The FTC indicated that this measure serves as a caution to other artificial intelligence companies. Samuel Levine, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, commented, “The FTC has been clear that claims about technology – including artificial intelligence – need to be backed up”. Evolv Technology aims to substitute traditional metal detectors with AI-powered weapons scanners. The company asserts that its artificial intelligence technology can actively identify hidden weapons such as bombs, knives, and guns. The complaint filed by the FTC contends that the company misleadingly promoted its scanners as being able to detect “all weapons”. The BBC reported in 2022 on several significant claims made by Evolv’s chief executive at the time regarding the technology. In 2021, Peter George, then chief executive, stated, “Metallic composition, shape, fragmentation – we have tens of thousands of these signatures, for all the weapons that are out there,” adding, “All the guns, all the bombs and all the large tactical knives.” Nevertheless, a BBC report from 2022 presented test results indicating that Evolv’s system was unable to reliably identify guns or bombs, following a freedom of information request submitted by the security-analysis firm IPVM. A separate BBC report in 2023 disclosed specifics concerning a stabbing incident at a New York school equipped with Evolv’s weapons scanners. The Superintendent of Utica Schools at the time informed the BBC, “It truly, truly does not find knives”. Furthermore, earlier this year, the BBC reported that Evolv’s assertions regarding the UK government having tested and approved its technology were also found to be inaccurate. As part of the proposed settlement by the US consumer watchdog, Evolv will be prohibited from making unsubstantiated claims about its products’ weapon detection capabilities and will offer certain school clients the choice to terminate their contracts. This settlement now awaits a judge’s approval. An Evolv spokesperson stated that the company had engaged “collaboratively” with the agency. Mike Ellenbogen, Interim President and CEO of Evolv, commented, “The FTC did not challenge the fundamental effectiveness of our technology and that the resolution does not include any monetary relief”. He further clarified, “To be clear, this inquiry was about past marketing language and not our system’s ability to add value to security operations.” Officials in both the US and UK have expressed apprehension regarding companies exaggerating the capabilities of artificial intelligence to enhance products. In certain cases, it remains ambiguous whether AI is even being utilized. The FTC recently initiated “Operation AI Comply,” an initiative aimed at companies making misleading claims concerning artificial intelligence. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.