A troubling incident occurred on October 20, 2025, at Kenwood High School in Baltimore County, Maryland, when a 16-year-old student, Taki Allen, was mistakenly detained by police after an artificial intelligence (AI) security system misidentified a bag of Doritos as a firearm. After finishing his snack and placing the empty wrapper in his pocket, Allen was approached by multiple police officers with weapons drawn. They ordered him to the ground, handcuffed him, and conducted a search before realizing the mistake. The AI system had flagged the shape of the crumpled chip bag as a potential weapon, leading to the false alarm.

The AI detection system involved, developed by Omnilert, is designed to identify potential weapons through security cameras and alert authorities. However, this incident highlights the challenges and potential risks associated with relying on AI surveillance tools in school environments. While the system functioned as intended, the misidentification of a harmless snack as a weapon raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of such technology.

In response to the incident, Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Myriam Rogers called the situation “truly unfortunate” and emphasized that the district never wants any student to be in a frightening situation. Principal Kate Smith acknowledged the distress caused and assured the community that counseling support would be provided to those involved. Despite these assurances, Allen expressed feelings of fear and abandonment, stating he felt unsafe and unsupported by school officials.

The incident has sparked discussions about the ethical implications of AI surveillance in schools and the potential consequences of false positives. Community members and officials are calling for a review of the technology to ensure that such errors do not compromise student safety or well-being.