WASHINGTON aEUR” Axon is the company most well-known for its development of the Taser. Monday’s announcement by the company was that it would not be developing a Taser equipped drone, after a majority on its ethics board resigned due to the controversial project.
Rick Smith, Axon’s CEO and founder, said that the company’s announcement of aEUR last week drew a rebuke form its artificial intelligence ethics boards aEUR”. Smith stated that it was meant to “initiate a discussion on this as a possible solution.” Smith stated that the discussion led to a greater understanding of the important and complex issues surrounding the issue.
He stated that the project was being halted and that he would refocus to engage more with key constituencies in order to find the best way forward. Reuters first reported the development.
Axon had been recommended by the board 8-4 to not go ahead with a pilot for the Taser drone. The board also had concerns about weaponizing drones in communities of color that are over-policed.
The company then announced that it was beginning to develop the drone after the massacre at Uvalde Elementary School in Texas. Smith said that he shared the idea with The Associated Press because he was “catastrophically disappointed” in the police response to the shooting.
The board issued rare public criticism of the project. It said it was dangerous and went beyond the original proposal that the board had examined for a Taser-equipped drone police officer. It stated that it had “pleaded with company to withdraw” prior to the announcement, and that many believed it was “trading upon the tragedy of Uvalde or Buffalo shootings.”
Smith said that he had rejected the idea last week in an interview with AP. However, he maintained that he was continuing to press ahead because he believes the Taser drone could save lives. Smith said that the idea should be shared in the public discussion about school safety and how police can confront attackers safely.
Nine members of the ethics committee, a group that includes well-respected experts on technology, policing, and privacy, announced their resignations Monday. They said they had “lost confidence in Axon’s ability to be responsible partners.”
The statement stated that “we wish it hadn’t come to this.” “We joined the Board with the hope that we could influence company direction in ways that would mitigate the harms that technology can cause and maximize any benefits.”
Barry Friedman, a New York University professor of law, stated that Axon had tried to convince them that their customer was the community that the agency serves. It has been a difficult struggle to change the equation there.
Friedman stated that Smith’s decision not to disclose the plan publicly and move forward with it was a concern.
“What is the emergency?” School shootings are a serious problem. Friedman agreed. Friedman said, “But Axon isn’t going any time soon, even if it follows a best-case timeline.” “Why was this necessary?”
Friedman stated that Rick’s suggestion of a public dialogue is really just jumping over top of the board.
Smith stated that it was unfortunate that certain members of Axon’s ethics advisory panel had chosen to stop directly engaging in these issues before they heard or had the chance to address their technical queries.
Smith stated, “We respect their decision and will continue to search diverse perspectives to challenge and guide other technology options.”
