FTC says AI company Evolv ‘falsely hyped’ its security scanners [Video]

Artificial intelligence (AI) companies are no strangers to embellishing their products’ capabilities — and when it comes to public safety, the consequences can be deadly. 

Evolv Technologies claimed its AI-powered security scanners would improve public safety by detecting weapons in a variety of places, including in schools. But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found otherwise. 

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Last week, the FTC proposed a settlement order with Evolv Technologies over how the company oversold the ability of its AI-powered security system to detect weapons and “ignore harmless personal items” — especially in school settings. Evolv’s touch-free systems scan people as they enter a space without requiring a manual search of bags or pockets. 

In an X post, FTC chair Lina Khan said Evolv has “falsely hyped” its AI weapons detection systems to school districts that paid the company “millions” to use …