In an era of rapid technological advances, AI video is revolutionising how businesses approach security and operations. But in the UK, it’s estimated that out of almost 7 million surveillance systems, many organisations are still operating legacy analogue CCTV or hybrid models. The UK is not alone; it’s a similar picture in Germany and other European countries that were early adopters of analogue systems. Yet despite the benefits, many companies are still hesitating to upgrade their surveillance systems to AI-powered solutions.

Today, the quality and performance of mobile surveillance apps is often a deciding factor when organisations are choosing their new surveillance solution.  I first noticed this back in 2014 when, during a major exhibition, a customer was immediately drawn to an early iteration of the IDIS mobile app running on a smartphone. That customer had evaluated multiple surveillance vendors for a significant upgrade, but there at the exhibition rather than paying attention to the abundance of equipment and VMS being demonstrated around him, he was attracted by the app with its quality HD live video with zero latency.

Video surveillance has long been a staple for brick-and-mortar retail operations, providing the foundation for monitoring, recording, and post-incident investigations. Yet, a passive approach is no longer adequate to tackle the growing and more sophisticated problem of retail crime.

The latest advances in video surveillance technology are reshaping the way U.S. transit and bus service operators manage their fleets. Modern camera systems now offer a comprehensive, 24/7 view of events in and around vehicles and facilities, while automated tools and AI analytics ease the challenge of monitoring and responding to incidents. Today’s bus fleet managers are leveraging these innovations to unlock new levels of service efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness.

The EU AI Act, enshrined into EU law in August 2024, represents a global first in setting comprehensive regulations for artificial intelligence. Just as GDPR reshaped global data privacy standards, this new legislation is set to influence markets beyond the EU, raising the bar for developing and deploying AI technologies, including video surveillance systems. The goal is clear: fostering “trustworthy AI” that upholds fundamental rights, safety, and ethical principles while mitigating risks.

Remember all those new solutions for secure door entry that were rushed to market by vendors during the Covid pandemic? It suddenly became a priority to have convenient – and touchless – entry to premises.

Most retailers use camera systems to cut shrink and deter crime—but the latest tech offerings are giving some businesses a surprising advantage.

The UK remains one of the most developed regions for public area CCTV, but a tough economic outlook is putting pressure on operators.

Purveyors of high- value goods are among the most innovative when it comes to taking advantage of the growing benefits of AI-powered video analytics; in project after project across the globe, we are seeing solutions adopted by upscale outlets selling jewelry and watches, cosmetics, haute couture apparel and accessories, and luxury vehicles.

LPR continues to add efficiencies - and improved security - to parking management operations. And we now see some exciting new applications emerging too, taking advantage of advances in edge AI camera technology.

Rapid and robust technological advances have transformed the video surveillance market in recent years. But perhaps none more so than 2023. AI came of age with the debut and rapid adoption of ChatGPT, which started a worldwide debate around the need for regulation. It was also the year we finally put the COVID pandemic behind us, resulting in projects being revived, a resurgence in sales, and like other AI technology, the adoption of video equipped with AI surged in the U.S. across a wide variety of sectors. From enhancing security measures to improving operational efficiency, video surveillance has become indispensable for businesses, organizations, and public spaces.

Users in the Middle East are among the most ambitious globally when it comes to taking advantage of the new capabilities that video technology has to offer.

Systems integrators are winning significant contracts with bids leveraging the benefits of easy and affordable AI video analytics.

It’s a sign of the times that one of the UK’s best-known supermarkets is trying to attract police patrols to its stores with the offer of free hot drinks.

Retail theft is a significant problem in the United States that has a substantial impact on retailers, consumers, and society as a whole. Shoplifting is the most common cause of retail shrinkage in the U.S., accounting for 37% of total losses in 2021. Retailers cited external theft, including organized retail crime, followed by employee internal theft and inventory process failures.