LEO Technologies Wins $106 Million Prison AI Contract Under Trump-Pardoned Founder Elliott Broidy
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 27
LEO Technologies Wins $106 Million Prison AI Contract Under Trump-Pardoned Founder Elliott Broidy
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 27
$106 million went to Texas-based LEO Technologies in a Bureau of Prisons award to translate, transcribe and monitor prison phone calls using artificial intelligence.
The Justice Department said LEO was one of six bidders, and the company said founder and CEO Elliott Broidy played no role in the competitive bidding process or award.
The deal is LEO's first federal contract after earlier work in state and local prison systems, while Broidy remains involved in company strategy rather than day-to-day operations, according to its lawyers.
Broidy pleaded guilty in 2020 to illegally lobbying Trump and his administration on behalf of foreign interests, then received a presidential pardon on Jan. 19, 2021.
After a presidential pardon, his firm won a huge contract. What does this reveal about government procurement ethics?
Can AI truly decipher complex inmate slang, or does it risk dangerous misinterpretations in prison surveillance?