Axon plan to develop school security taser drones prompts backlash

An announcement by US taser manufacturer Axon that it would develop taser-armed drones as part of a long-term plan to 'stop mass shootings' in the USA prompt ed privacy advocates to express concerns about surveillance and safety . The drones would consist of miniature, lightweight tasers, and 'targeting algorithms' to help operators aim the device safely and incapacitate an active shooter within 60 seconds, the company said. Responders would be trained using virtual reality. The announcement came days after the shooting of 21 people at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. The move aled to the resignation of nine of twelve members of Axon's AI Ethics Advisory Board, which said had not been consulted about the programme and had concerns about introducing weaponising drones in over-policed communities of colour. The board had successfully halted previous product launches, including when Axon was considering introducing facial recognition technology to it's line of police-worn body cameras. Within three days of the board's resignation, the company halted the project. ➕ January 2023. Axon's original AI Ethics Board published (pdf) a report explaining the rationale for their objections to Project ION, including the technology's potential for misuse, the dehumanisation of individuals targeted, the increased militarisation of the police, operational risks, and potential reputational damage. System 🤖 Axon 🔗 Documents 📃 Axon Ethics & Equity Advisory Council Axon CEO Rick Smith Reddit AMA Axon Announces TASER Drone Development to Address Mass Shootings How non-lethal armed drones can help address school shootings Axon committed to listening and learning Operator: Developer: Axon Country: USA Sector: Education Purpose: Strengthen security Technology: Drone; Computer vision Issue: Accountability; Appropriateness/need ; Effectiveness/value; Privacy; Surveillance; Bias/discrimination - race, ethnicity; Transparency I nvestigations, assessments, audits 👁️ NYU School of Law Policing Project (2023). A Report on Axon’s Proposal for Taser-Equipped Drones (pdf) NYU School of Law Policing Project (2022). STATEMENT OF RESIGNING AXON AI ETHICS BOARD MEMBERS

Date it happened

2022-06-01

Product, system or model

Project ION

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