SplitSec AI Nominated for the Chicago Innovation Awards
9 September 2025•3 min read
We’re thrilled to announce that SplitSec AI has been nominated for the 2026 Edison Awards, which recognize innovations that make a lasting and positive difference in the world. Named after one of history’s greatest inventors, Thomas Edison, the awards honor breakthrough ideas that combine imagination, ingenuity, and impact. To be counted among such visionary innovators is a humbling affirmation of our mission to make cutting-edge safety accessible to everyone.
Innovation with Purpose
At SplitSec AI, we believe technology should empower and protect, not intrude. Every day, our team works to transform how safety is experienced in public spaces by developing AI that acts locally, works privately, and responds instantly. Our mission is to make gunshot detection available to everyone, not just institutions that can afford costly infrastructure or subscription-based surveillance.
How It Works
Our patent-pending edge convolutional neural network is trained on more than 30,000 real-world sounds, allowing it to accurately distinguish gunshots from other impulsive noises like fireworks, construction, or doors slamming. The model is optimized for efficiency and runs entirely on-device without relying on the cloud. That means:
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No additional sensors or hardware needed
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Sound analysis runs on your device. Connected corroboration and alert delivery require connectivity
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No raw audio is collected, stored, or transmitted
Detection happens in real time, even in noisy environments, ensuring both speed and privacy. You can learn more about how our acoustic intelligence model works here.
Smarter Safety Through Community
When multiple phones running SplitSec AI detect and corroborate the same potential gunshot event, the system can estimate the location of the detected sound and provide situational awareness to nearby users. Location estimates are based on available device data and detection timing and may vary depending on factors such as device placement, environmental conditions, signal quality, and user participation.
As described on the Validation page, location estimates are intended to support awareness and response efforts but are not guaranteed to identify the exact source of a sound or a specific individual's location. Performance can vary by environment and real-world conditions, and results should be considered an estimate rather than a precise determination. As participation grows through pilot and beta programs, the network becomes more effective, forming a community-powered safety system built on trust, transparency, and participation.
A Privacy-First, Scalable Solution
Unlike traditional gunshot detection systems that require expensive installations and raise legitimate privacy concerns, SplitSec AI’s approach is affordable, transparent, and privacy-preserving. By leveraging existing smartphones, we are creating a low-cost, high-impact safety platform that can scale across schools, campuses, neighborhoods, and public spaces. This approach empowers individuals and institutions alike to take proactive steps toward safety without compromising personal privacy.
Embodying Edison’s Legacy
The Edison Awards celebrate innovation that changes the world for the better. SplitSec AI embodies that spirit by combining scientific rigor with human-centered design to address one of society’s most urgent challenges: reducing harm and saving lives through responsible AI.
We are deeply honored by this nomination and remain committed to our vision of a safer, more connected future, one where technology does not just respond to crises, but helps prevent them.
Join the Movement for Safer Communities
As we continue our journey toward a broader public release, we invite individuals, families, schools, and community partners to join our Beta Access programs. Your participation helps shape the future of privacy-first safety technology and brings us one step closer to a world where help arrives faster, awareness spreads sooner, and lives are protected when it matters most.
Get involved. Follow our Edison Awards journey. Help us make safety scalable.