CBC News in Canada published a report that portable weapon detectors powered by artificial intelligence (AI) were placed into service last week by Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, Nova Scotia, to help Nova Scotia Health track potentially dangerous incidents.
The provincial government began installing AI-powered weapon detectors, which it states do not collect any personal information, in hospitals across Nova Scotia last year after three employees were attacked at Halifax Infirmary in January 2025.
Dean Stienburg, Nova Scotia Health’s director of security, told CBC that he couldn’t say how many incidents have occurred in the past at Cape Breton, estimating that a “potentially dangerous” incident that requires security intervention occurs once a week on average there. He told CBC the detectors were installed because the province doesn’t have good data on the number of potentially dangerous incidents that are occurring in its hospitals.
Those numbers have become somewhat clearer since the devices were implemented at other Nova Scotia hospitals in December. Mr. Stienburg said they have already kept more than 3,500 dangerous items from being carried into facilities.
At Cape Breton, the weapon detectors are in use at its emergency department entrance to screen every visitor. Mr. Stienburg said the devices do not collect any personal information, and that although they are equipped with cameras, they are not enabled in any of the province’s hospitals. According to CBC, he said the machines are connected throughout North America and are constantly learning which items they detect are harmless and which are potentially harmful.
Cathy Lynn Howley, BsCN, RN, CPN, director of perioperative services for Nova Scotia Health’s eastern zone, told CBC and other media at a demonstration event that the machines detect any objects that could threaten people’s safety, including pocket knives or box cutters, adding that “lots of community members, patients [and] families carry things such as pocket knives or box cutters that could be used as a weapon, so we want to ensure that they aren’t entering the facility.” She said visitors may be asked to leave items with security for retrieval later or return them to their vehicles before entering.
The hospital’s existing security staff are using the detectors. “This device will just help them do their job in a more efficient and comprehensive way,” said Ms. Howley.
On its website, Nova Scotia Health states, “Any item that is classified as a weapon, resembles a weapon or is reasonably deemed capable of being used as a weapon, will not be allowed inside.” A “How to prepare” list advises visitors to avoid bringing “non-essential items, especially large bags or backpacks,” into facilities, to have their belongings ready to be checked, and to arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier than usual. It says the detectors will be prioritized for emergency department entrances “to start,” and that “further expansion beyond this phase will be considered based on continued evaluation.”
Read CBC News’ full story here.
