Latest news with #MaryConnaughton
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Weapon detection system leased by UMass Medical School rarely used, I-Team finds
A WBZ I-Team investigation revealed the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School leased weapon detection systems for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and found most of them are not being used very much. Powered by artificial intelligence, Evolv's security screening system makes bold claims in its promotional video about detecting guns and knives, "Evolv Express is not looking for metal, it's designed specifically to look for weapons ... knows the difference between ordinary items like keys and knives and guns." The I-Team has learned UMass Chan Medical School signed a four-year contract to lease 14 weapon detection units, at a cost of more than $1.5 million. Mary Connaughton, the Director of Government Transparency at the Pioneer Institute says, "you would think that an organization like that, as large as that, would have a process to make sure that before they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, they did a needs assessment and make sure they really were going to use this equipment." After the I-Team started asking questions about the scanners, the university said the contract was amended, and the number of units it was leasing was reduced to six. The new cost was $660,000. The I-Team went looking for the scanners on campus, and found just one, at the Medical School building, and during the times we were there it was not used at all. Connaughton said for it to be sitting idle is such a waste of public funds. We reached out to the university asking for an on-camera interview, instead a spokesperson sent this statement: "UMass Chan Medical School uses weapons detection system units as part of our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. One unit is used to screen visitors entering the Medical School who are not credentialed through UMass Chan. Five other units are available and deployed as needed, typically for large-scale events such as commencement, or when we identify a specific security need. The enhanced weapons detection system is one element of a multipronged strategy to enhance campus safety and security at UMass Chan. In addition to the weapons detection system, all campus entrances are secured and require an active UMass Chan ID badge for access. Our highest priorities include ensuring that the Medical School continues to follow best practices in managing access to and safety in our educational and research facilities." Connaughton tells the I-Team it's "absolutely mind boggling." "It's absolutely amazing that public funds are spent that way when there's so many other good places to spend money that really serve the commonwealth," Connaughton said. That is not the only controversy involving the expensive scanners. Last year, Evolv settled a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit that alleged the company made misleading marketing claims about their technology, citing data that showed the scanners in several instances failed to detect weapons in schools. In New York, at a Utica school, a student was able to get through Evolv's detectors with a seven-inch knife that he allegedly used to stab a classmate. Evolv did not respond to the I-Team's requests for an on-camera interview but Mike Ellenbogen, Evolv's co-founder, interim president and CEO addressed the settlement in a company video last December, saying in part, "While we admitted no wrongdoing, we're happy to resolve this matter and are pleased that the FTC did not challenge the fundamental effectiveness of our technology and nor did the resolution include any monetary relief." The settlement does include greater government oversight and requires Evolv to notify some customers that they have the right to cancel their contracts.
RTÉ News
15-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Workplaces warned over low readiness for managing AI
Workplaces need to improve their standard of engagement with workers on artificial intelligence (AI), according to CIPD, the professional body for the HR industry. The annual HR Practices in Ireland study from CIPD and the Kemmy Business School at University of Limerick shows that more than half of Irish workplaces have not provided a clear plan on using AI to employees, while two thirds have not provided training on the topic. Details of the research have been released to coincide with CIPD in Ireland's annual conference which takes place in Dublin today. The transformative power of AI on the workplace will be among the issues discussed at the event. Speaking ahead of the event, Director of CIPD in Ireland Mary Connaughton said workplaces need to improve their standard of engagement with workers on AI. "The survey shows between 56% and 69% have no plans to address these issues in their organisations," Ms Connaughton said. "These figures are a concern, revealing a lack of strategy or attention on AI use in workplaces," she added. The research also showed employers in Ireland see having an inclusive culture as central to attracting and retaining talent. Two thirds of respondents said offering features such as flexible and remote working help to contribute to an inclusive workplace. The CIPD conducted the survey of members and HR professionals in Ireland in November 2024.
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Lack of AI strategies by most companies leaves employees confused, report finds
A study to be published today by HR consultancy CIPD reveals 'low readiness' in terms of management of the rapidly advancing technology at work. It shows that 58pc of Irish workplaces have not provided a clear plan on using AI to employees. An even higher portion, 67pc, have not given any training on the topic. The figures from the CIPD study that was undertaken with the Kemmy Business School at University of Limerick will be discussed at CIPD Ireland's annual conference in Dublin today. Mary Connaughton, director of CIPD in Ireland, said workplaces need to improve their standard of engagement with workers on AI. 'The survey shows between 56pc and 69pc have no plans to address these issues in their organisations,' she said. She added that the figures reveal a lack of strategy or attention on AI use in workplaces. 'The low level of readiness around AI policies and usage must be addressed,' Ms Connaughton said. She said AI is going to have an ever greater role in our working lives and it is vital that employers understand it and use it correctly, while protecting business and worker data. Ms Connaughton urged any workplace that hasn't put an AI policy in place to prioritise it. ADVERTISEMENT Just 11pc of HR professionals said a clear plan on AI use had been communicated to employees. The same portion think their leadership team is fully equipped to lead in a digitalised, AI world. The report shows that just over one in five workplaces plan to provide clear guidance on using AI at work this year. A total of 60pc of respondents said they believed productivity was significantly or 'somewhat' increased due to AI, while 39pc said there was no change. Among respondents who have programmes to promote DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), 78pc have inclusive recruitment, retention or promotion strategies. A total of 77pc offer remote and flexible working, while 60pc provide training and guidance for line managers and 45pc invest in raising awareness of diversity. Just 16pc said a diversity officer had been appointed.
