How AI Technology Could Help Pittsburgh-Area Schools Enhance Security
By Erika Stanish, CBS Pittsburgh, December 17, 2025
In an effort to bolster safety measures in local schools, Pittsburgh-area districts are integrating innovative artificial intelligence technology that uses WiFi spatial intelligence to detect concealed weapons in real-time. This cutting-edge system, called Wi-AI, is a product of CurvePoint, a startup developed at Carnegie Mellon University, designed to enhance security while safeguarding student privacy.
Introducing Wi-AI: A New Era of School Safety
Wi-AI represents a pioneering approach to school security by employing WiFi signals rather than traditional cameras or scanners to detect weapons like guns and knives. According to Skip Smith, CEO of CurvePoint, the technology “provides real-time situational awareness while protecting student privacy and detecting concealed objects through materials such as backpacks or bags.” The system measures the refraction, reflection, and distortion of WiFi waves—a ubiquitous presence in school environments—to identify anomalies indicating the presence of concealed weapons.
Unlike surveillance cameras, Wi-AI does not collect or maintain biometric information, such as facial recognition or retina scans. “Our system isn’t ocular. It doesn’t have a lens. There’s no biometric information,” Smith explained. This key feature ensures that privacy concerns are addressed while maintaining a proactive safety posture.
Implementation in Local Schools
The technology is currently being installed at Hempfield Area High School and has already been implemented in the Chartiers Valley School District. Over the coming 30 to 60 days, Wi-AI will gather data and continuously train to improve its accuracy in detecting concealed weapons as students and staff enter school buildings.
When the system detects a potential weapon, it disrupts the WiFi signal in the immediate area. This disruption triggers surveillance cameras to capture images of the individual, which alerts designated personnel such as school administrators and security officers for immediate investigation.
Jamie Schmidt, Director of Innovation, Strategic Partnerships, and Safety at Hempfield Area School District, shared the benefits: “Wi-AI can add an additional layer of safety on top of metal detectors already in place. It provides another layer of safety if someone hides a weapon in a locker or bypasses traditional screening methods.”
Performance and Future Prospects
Smith disclosed that the current model operates with about 95% accuracy and has a roughly 4% false positive rate. “These are great numbers to tackle a very big problem in the school industry,” he said. CurvePoint is working on expanding the program to at least 15 schools in the region to improve the system’s capabilities and robustness through wider data collection and training.
District officials, including Dr. Mark Holtzman, Superintendent of Hempfield Area School District, emphasized the importance of such innovations. “Adding additional safety deterrents, including concealed weapon detection, is critical to the future of school safety in our district,” he stated.
Balancing Security with Privacy
One of the most notable features of Wi-AI is its commitment to privacy. Without relying on visual or biometric data, the technology maintains a delicate balance between safety and individual rights. This aspect may pave the way for wider adoption in schools seeking effective security solutions without intrusive monitoring methods.
Looking Ahead
With the rising concerns around school safety nationwide, Pittsburgh-area schools are pioneering an intelligent, WiFi-based approach to threat detection and prevention. As Wi-AI technology continues to evolve, it may serve as a blueprint for other districts aiming to enhance security measures non-intrusively and cost-effectively.
For now, Hempfield Area High School and Chartiers Valley School District are leading the charge in this new frontier of school safety technology, aiming to build safer learning environments where students and staff can feel secure.
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