Michelle ThompsonEvolv Technology, a U.S. weapons scanning company, faces a proposed settlement with the U.S. government after making unsupported claims about its AI-powered scanners. These devices, deployed at schools, hospitals, and stadiums, were marketed as capable of detecting “all weapons,” including guns, bombs, and knives. However, BBC investigations revealed that these claims were false, with the technology unable to reliably detect guns or bombs.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached an agreement with Evolv, which will prevent the company from making unsupported claims about its products’ capabilities. Although Evolv did not admit wrongdoing, the FTC emphasized that all technology claims, including those about AI, must be substantiated. The FTC’s Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Samuel Levine, stated that this action should serve as a warning to other AI companies.
Evolv’s mission is to replace traditional metal detectors with AI scanners that can detect concealed weapons. However, BBC reports and independent testing highlighted the limitations of Evolv’s technology, including its inability to detect knives during incidents like a stabbing in a New York school. Additionally, Evolv’s claims about UK government approval were found to be false.
Under the proposed settlement, Evolv will be prohibited from making deceptive claims about its products and will offer some school customers the option to cancel contracts. The settlement is awaiting judicial approval. Evolv’s interim CEO, Mike Ellenbogen, clarified that the settlement focuses on past marketing practices, not the effectiveness of the technology itself.
The case is part of broader concerns over AI companies overstating their products’ capabilities, with the FTC launching “Operation AI Comply” to target deceptive AI claims.
