Red Sox Fans, Take Note: AI Is Watching You

WALTHAM, MA — The Boston Red Sox play their home opener in 10 days – and while fans entering Fenway Park probably won’t realize it, AI from a Waltham company will be carefully watching them.

Evolv Technology uses artificial intelligence to detect concealed weapons at spectator venues including the home of the Sox. In fact, the company says, its equipment and software will screen people at a dozen Major League Baseball stadiums this season.

The screenings aren’t like those you might undergo at Boston’s Logan International Airport or a local courthouse.

There are no one-at-a-time waiting lines. You don’t need to dump your keys and phone into a plastic tray. Instead, Evolv says, its equipment can examine multiple people simultaneously as they pass between an unobtrusive pair of scanners, without breaking stride.

That’s a selling point for venues like Fenway, where thousands of fans can descend on the gates in a matter of minutes.

A reason for the high-volume capability, Evolv says, is that AI allows the scanning systems to make highly informed decisions about what might be a household object you're carrying - and what might be a gun, knife or bomb.

Big business in baseball

Evolv systems have operated at 38,000-seat Fenway since 2023, according to the company's website. They’re also in use at other Massachusetts sports and entertainment venues, including Gillette Stadium, TD Garden and the Boch Center.

The company said last week it’s expanded a contract at another big-league ballpark.

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Evolv renewed an agreement with the Houston Astros and their stadium, Daikin Park, according to a press release. In addition, the Astros will be installing AI-backed weapon detectors that automate how bags and purses are scanned – without the need for security staff to watch a monitor.

The public company (Nasdaq: EVLV) didn’t disclose the size of the new, larger agreement. Evolv employs roughly 300 people at its offices in Waltham. The company brought in revenue of $146 million during 2025, a 40% jump over the 2024 total, according to a report filed earlier this month.

But the business has also come under fire in the past few years.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has investigated Evolv over claims that it misled investors, according to the Boston Globe. The Federal Trade Commission has looked into allegations of false advertising.

The company settled with both agencies in 2024.

The Red Sox play their first home game Friday, April 3, against the San Diego Padres.