The AI Ethics Board tried to persuade Axon that it should be responsive to the communities affected by its products, Friedman says, rather than the police who buy them. The company did create a community advisory committee, but Friedman says that until AI ethics boards figure out how to bring local communities into the procurement process, “the vendors of policing technology are going to keep playing to the police.”

In today’s digital age, technology offers retailers an edge in loss prevention. Advanced software solutions, remote video monitoring, and smart devices provide real-time insights, instant alerts, and a wealth of data.

Embracing technology, like Solink, is the next frontier in loss prevention systems. Solink not only bolsters security but provides invaluable business insights as well. With features like real-time monitoring, alert systems, and detailed analytics, Solink transforms loss prevention from a reactive measure to a proactive strategy. Adopting Solink ensures your retail business is not just secure but also primed for growth and efficiency.

Adopting and adapting these areas to fit your store’s unique needs and challenges is the foundation of a robust loss prevention strategy.

“If the AI Ethics Board says this technology is problematic and the company should not develop products, then they shouldn’t. I know it’s a difficult proposition, but I really think this is how it has to be done,” he says. “We’ve seen problems at Google and other companies for people they hired to talk about AI ethics.”

There’s usually conflict in companies between people who understand a technology’s risks and limitations and those who want to make products and profits, says Wael AbdAlmageed, a computer scientist at the University of Southern California who resigned from the Axon AI Ethics Board. If companies like Axon want to take AI ethics seriously, he says, the role of these boards cannot be advisory anymore.

These tools, when integrated into a loss prevention strategy, can transform a retailer’s approach from reactive to proactive, catching issues before they become significant problems.

The company backed down on its proposal Sunday, but the damage had been done. Axon had first asked the advisory board to consider a pilot program to outfit a select number of police departments with Taser drones last year, and again last month. A majority of the AI Ethics Board, which comprises AI ethics experts, law professors, and police reform and civil liberties advocates, opposed it both times. Advisory board chairman Barry Friedman told WIRED that Axon never asked the group to review any scenario involving schools, and that launching the pilot program without addressing previously stated concerns is dismissive of the board and its established process.

Another signatory to the resignation letter, University of Washington law professor Ryan Calo, calls Axon’s idea to test Taser drones in schools “a very, very bad idea.” Meaningful change to curb gun violence in the United States requires confronting issues like alienation, racism, and widespread access to guns. The deaths of children in Uvalde, Texas, did not happen, Calo says, because the school lacked Tasers.

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An informed staff understands the larger implications of theft. This includes presenting the Solink app, so they know internal theft will be discovered.

Four members of the AI Ethics Board didn’t sign the resignation letter. They include former Seattle police chief Carmen Best, former Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck, and former California Highway Patrol commissioner Warren Stanley.

Loss prevention procedures for retail encompass a variety of strategies and tactics used by retailers to minimize theft, fraud, and other forms of revenue loss. These measures range from physical security installations to employee training and sophisticated technology solutions.

A majority of Axon’s AI Ethics Board resigned in protest yesterday, following an announcement last week that the company planned to equip drones with Tasers and cameras as a way to end mass shootings in schools.

Money, being the primary target for many thieves, necessitates stringent procedures to safeguard against theft. Proper cash handling doesn’t only protect against external threats but also minimizes the risk of internal fraud or errors. Through structured processes and routine checks, retailers can ensure transparency, accuracy, and safety in all monetary transactions.

A sound inventory management system not only ensures that the right products are available at the right time but also plays a pivotal role in loss prevention. Discrepancies in inventory can signal theft, misplacement, or other inefficiencies.

“I think there will be mission creep, and that they will begin to use it in more and more contexts, and I think that the announcement by Axon to use it in a completely different context is proof of that,” Calo says. “A situation where there are ubiquitous cameras and remotely deployed Tasers is not a world that I want to live in. Period.”

The arrangement and design of a retail space can greatly influence the ease with which theft occurs. Thoughtfully designed stores consider both the customer experience and security implications.

Retail landscapes are evolving rapidly, and with them, the challenges of loss prevention. Theft, fraud, and discrepancies can result from various sources—be it from customers, employees, or even during the supply chain process. A comprehensive strategy that envelops all potential weak points is crucial.

A POS system provides insights into sales trends and irregularities. Remember, theft goes beyond stealing merchandise or cash. Discount abuse is another form of theft.

In Axon’s case, multiple AI Ethics Board members who spoke with WIRED said that the company did have a record of listening to their suggestions, including in a 2019 decision not to deploy facial recognition on body cameras. That made the sudden Taser-drone announcement all the more jarring.

He finds it tough to imagine that police or trained staff in a school will possess the situational awareness to use a Taser drone judiciously. Even if a drone operator successfully saved the lives of suspects or people in marginalized or vulnerable communities, the technology wouldn’t stay there.

By eliminating blind spots, ensuring open sightlines, and strategically placing high-value items, retailers can optimize the shopping experience while minimizing the opportunities for theft.

Employees are a retailer’s most valuable asset in the fight against theft and fraud. An informed and vigilant staff can detect and deter many threats before they escalate.

This is not just about minimizing losses; it’s about enhancing the efficiency, safety, and reputation of your retail establishment. As we delve into the core areas of retail loss prevention, you’ll find that a blend of traditional practices, staff training, and cutting-edge technology offers the most potent solution.

“If we're going to address the prospect of violence in schools, we all know that there are much better ways to do that,” he says.

Continuous training programs equip employees with the necessary skills to recognize suspicious behaviors, handle difficult situations, and take proactive measures against external theft. When the entire team is on the same page, it creates a united front against potential losses.

These mirrors help in observing areas not directly visible. These are especially useful in small, packed convenience stores.

Axon’s is the latest external AI ethics board to come in conflict with its associated tech company. Google famously convened and disbanded an AI ethics advisory group in roughly a week in 2019. These panels often operate without clear structure beyond asking members to sign a nondisclosure agreement, and companies can use them for “virtue signaling” rather than substantive input, says Cortnie Abercrombie, founder of the nonprofit AI Truth. Her organization is currently researching best practices for corporate AI ethics.

The real disappointment, Calo says, isn’t that the company didn’t do exactly what the board advised. It’s that Axon announced its Taser-drone plans before the board could fully detail its opposition. “All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the company decided to just abandon that process,” he says. “That’s why it’s so disheartening.”

Clear, consistent policies and procedures provide a framework for both employees and customers. They set expectations, guide actions in various scenarios, and establish a baseline for acceptable behavior.

Theft, fraud, and other forms of loss can deeply affect a retail business’s bottom line. Loss prevention procedures for retail not only curb these losses but optimize store operations. Let’s dig deeper.

The board had earlier expressed concern that weaponized drones could lead to increased use of force by police, especially in communities of color. A report detailing the advisory board’s evaluation of a pilot program was due out this fall.

Having written loss prevention procedures ensures a standardized approach, reducing ambiguity and confusion among employees. Here are some advantages:

Secure display cases prevent easy access to items thieves often target. However, they may be destroyed during flash mob burglaries.

Loss prevention doesn’t stop at the store’s doors. Ensuring the security and integrity of the supply chain is equally crucial. From the moment a product leaves a manufacturer to its arrival at a retail location, there are numerous opportunities for loss.

Whether it’s a simple security camera or a more complex alarm system, these measures play a critical role in maintaining a secure environment and acting as a visible reminder of the store’s commitment to security.

To safeguard your retail business and maximize its potential, here are the paramount categories of loss prevention procedures to integrate:

Whether it’s a return policy, a procedure for handling suspected theft, or guidelines for employee conduct, having these documented and communicated ensures everyone knows what’s expected and how to react in different situations.

By closely monitoring stock levels, implementing regular checks, and utilizing technological solutions, retailers can reduce unaccounted losses and improve their bottom line.

Physical barriers and video monitoring mechanisms are the bedrock of retail loss prevention. They provide the first line of defense against potential external threats, deterring malicious actions and ensuring the safety of both customers and staff.

By establishing trusted partnerships, monitoring deliveries, and implementing checks at every step, retailers can mitigate risks and ensure that their inventory is secure and accounted for.

In a joint letter of resignation made public today, nine members of the AI Ethics Board said the company appeared to be “trading on the tragedy of recent mass shootings” in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. Despite mentioning both mass shootings in a press release announcing the pilot project, Axon CEO Rick Smith denied allegations that the company’s proposal was opportunistic in a Reddit AMA. Smith said a Taser drone could still be years off, but that he envisions 50 to 100 Taser drones in a school, run by trained staff. Ahead of Axon pausing the pilot project, Freidman called it a “poorly thought out idea,” and said that if the idea is unlikely to come to fruition, then Axon’s pitch “distracts the world from real solutions to a serious problem.”