Wheatland Union High School faced disruption on Tuesday due to a bomb threat generated by artificial intelligence, prompting the evacuation of students and staff and the cancellation of classes, according to school officials.
Superintendent Nicole Newman reported that the threat was communicated via a phone call featuring an AI-generated voice. The Wheatland Police Department launched an investigation into the anonymous threat as soon as it was reported.
Newman revealed that officials learned about the situation shortly before 6 a.m. The police had alerted the school resource officer at around 2:30 a.m., but since the officer was off-duty, the message went unnoticed at that time.
Once informed by the police about the ongoing area check, the school resource officer brought the matter to Newman’s attention, which led to the involvement of the Yuba County Sheriff's Office for further investigation. Although the school conducted its own search of the premises, they also called in an explosives detection K9 unit from Placer County to meticulously inspect classrooms and lockers.
Instruction, initially delayed until 8:50 a.m. and then pushed to 11 a.m., was ultimately canceled for the day. Students who had already arrived on campus were moved to the parking lot and gym of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following the decision to cancel classes, these students were safely transported home.
Newman noted that this incident reflects a growing trend of similar threats being made against educational institutions nationwide.
