Proactive Gun Detection To Help Prevent Mass Shootings: Insights from Navy SEAL Mike Lahiff

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword thrown around by tech gurus and sci-fi enthusiasts—it’s becoming a cornerstone of modern defense and security. From streamlining decision-making in the heat of battle to providing proactive security solutions back home, AI is transforming how we approach safety in a world where threats are evolving rapidly.

But what does this shift really look like, and why is it so important?

To get a better understanding, we turn to Mike Lahiff, former Navy SEAL and current CEO of ZeroEyes (ZE), a company making waves in the defense world with its cutting-edge AI-powered gun detection technology.

Lahiff shared his thoughts with SOFREP on AI’s growing role in defense and security, and how his company is using it to protect people in everyday environments—from convenience stores to daycares. Let’s dive in.

AI in the Military: Faster, Smarter, Stronger

When you think about military operations, speed and accuracy are everything. Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen often have mere seconds to assess a situation and make life-or-death decisions.

According to Lahiff, a former Seal Team 4 operator and the co-founder and CEO of ZeroEyes, this is where AI can make all the difference.

By processing real-time data at lightning speed, AI helps warfighters see the full picture faster than ever before, improving their situational awareness and allowing them to react more quickly and precisely, Lahiff explained.

But NOTE: AI isn’t replacing humans in the field, but rather acting like a supercharged assistant—an extra set of “eyes” that can analyze mountains of data in seconds and present actionable insights.

In a modern battlefield where things can change in a snap of a finger, this kind of tech is priceless.

“AI is extremely important and crucial to stay relevant in the modern war landscape,” Lahiff stated.

Enter ZeroEyes: Using AI for Gun Detection

While AI’s potential in military settings is pretty mind-blowing, it’s also proving to be a powerful tool in civilian security.

One example is ZeroEyes’ new Proactive Gun Detection Solution, known as ZeroEyes One (ZEO), which the company launched in August.

What makes ZEO special? It’s an AI-powered gun detection system that works with existing security cameras to identify weapons in real time—before a shot is even fired.

“ZeroEyes One (ZEO) is a first-of-its-kind AI-powered, human-verified gun detection solution available for deployments ranging from 1-16 digital IP cameras,” Lahiff explained.

This isn’t just high-tech wizardry for government buildings or corporate offices; ZEO is designed for businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s a gas station, a daycare, or even a private residence, this technology makes it possible for anyone to have the kind of advanced security previously only available to large organizations.

And the best part? It’s all AI-powered, human-verified, and scalable to fit the needs of smaller setups.

“This makes gun violence protection accessible to organizations of all sizes, enhancing security measures without significantly increasing the budget while decreasing the complexity for end-users looking to deploy visible gun detection software,” he added.

Why AI is Shaking Up the Security Game

One of the standout features of ZeroEyes’ system is that it isn’t just a software solution that sits on a server somewhere.

The company, according to Lahiff himself, has a 24/7 operations center staffed by military and law enforcement veterans—people who know guns, know what real threats look like, and know how to stay calm under pressure.

While the AI identifies potential weapons, these human experts verify each alert before notifying the client.

Our #software will spot firearms brandished by #lawenforcement officers—but this doesn’t mean we’ll automatically sound the alarm. In this case, we’ll see the alert and confirm with our client that they’re meant to be there. Human verification is essential.https://t.co/ruCTej34r9 pic.twitter.com/iuYNwgeoyb

— ZeroEyes (@ZeroEyesAI) August 29, 2024

It’s a partnership between tech and human experience that drastically reduces false alarms and ensures that real threats are acted upon quickly.

By blending AI’s ability to scan and process information rapidly with human expertise, ZeroEyes is able to catch potential threats before they escalate, giving first responders the information they need to act fast.

“Through this combination of advanced machine learning and expert human intervention, we eliminate nearly all false positives,” said Lahiff, further stating that they would then “dispatch alerts and actionable information to the customer only after [the] detection” is confirmed by both the AI and ZeroEyes team, while also establishing two-way communication.

This type of proactive approach is not only a nice-to-have in today’s world, where mass shootings and gun-related violence are all too common, particularly in the US—it is essential.

Making Security Accessible

Another reason ZEO stands out is its accessibility.

In the past, high-level security systems were reserved for large corporations, government buildings, and other well-funded organizations.

But with AI technology, companies like ZeroEyes are making it possible for small businesses, schools, and even private homeowners to implement high-tech solutions without breaking the bank.

And that’s a big deal. Gun violence isn’t limited to large cities or public spaces—it can happen anywhere, at any time.

It’s still hard for most of us to spot this gun–even with a green box to point it out. During a client training session, our #AI recognized it in seconds. Exposing our program to these complex scenarios is crucial so it can be better prepared to detect a gun when it matters most. pic.twitter.com/kVKkj6Ilp1

— ZeroEyes (@ZeroEyesAI) September 20, 2024

With this kind of technology, security is no longer something reserved for the elite; it’s something that anyone can have, from a local convenience store to a suburban family home.

According to Lahiff, this accessibility could make a huge difference in how we approach public safety across the board.

AI in the Fight Against Gun Violence

In addition to its gun detection software, ZeroEyes has launched the ZeroEyes Research Center, which analyzes gun-related incidents across the country.

“While existing databases may focus on specific incident categories, such as mass shootings involving four or more victims, K-12 incidents, or those within particular industries, their scope remains incomplete,” Lahiff highlighted.

He added: “The ZeroEyes Research Center provides a comprehensive platform analyzing all gun violence incidents across different sectors, including nine distinct types of active shooter incidents, to provide insights into potential trends to educate leaders on planning and response purposes. Understanding that without in-depth analysis, effectively addressing these incidents is unachievable, ZeroEyes is contributing to the larger conversation of gun-related violence in the US.”

By studying the patterns and trends behind these tragedies, the company hopes to give decision-makers more tools to plan for and prevent future incidents.

This broader mission of AI in security is one of the most exciting parts of the technology. It’s not just about stopping one incident or making one building safer; it’s about transforming how we approach public safety and risk mitigation as a whole.

AI isn’t just reacting to threats—it’s helping us anticipate and prevent them.

The Future of AI in Defense and Security

The possibilities for AI in defense and security are practically limitless. As more data is collected, AI systems like ZeroEyes’ will continue to improve, becoming more accurate, faster, and more integrated into our daily lives.

Lahiff shared with us that he envisions a future where AI gun detection systems are as “ubiquitously deployed, much like fire alarms are today“—an essential part of every building’s safety infrastructure.

“In the next five years, AI gun detection will be the new fire alarm, and ZE will help set the standard,” he shared via written interview. “Ten times more people die from gun violence in the USA every year than fires, yet every building you walk into has smoke detectors and fire suppression systems. Having a proactive approach to mitigate gun violence, AI Gun Detection, will help just as fire alarm code has. It’s inevitable.”

But it’s not just about technology; it’s about the partnership between AI and humans.

As Lahiff emphasized, the human element is crucial, especially when it comes to verifying threats and making real-time decisions. AI can process data, but it’s the people behind the system that make the final call.

Wrapping Up

There’s no denying how AI is reshaping the world of defense and security in ways that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. Whether it’s enhancing the capabilities of soldiers on the battlefield or helping prevent gun violence in our communities, AI is proving to be a game changer.

And as companies like ZeroEyes continue to innovate and make this technology more accessible, we’re likely to see it play an even bigger role in keeping us safe in the years to come.

In the end, AI isn’t replacing us humans—rather empowering us to do our jobs better, faster, and more effectively.

To know more about Mike Lahiff, check out his podcast interview with Rad here!

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Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.