Axis Communications has released its critical study on the use of AI in the video surveillance industry with perspectives from leading AI experts. ‘The state of AI in video surveillance’ Report (2025) explores the potential of AI to improve security and safety as well as its transformational impact on operational efficiency through its ability to extract business intelligence from video data.
AI deployment has surged over the past two years, notably due to increased customer demand, improved knowledge of applications and the emergence of new use cases. However, with deployment processes and best practices still evolving, the report, which provides top trends, 9 insights and a deep dive look at the future – will offer essential guidance to systems integrators, technology vendors, A&E and developer communities as well as end customers.
Uniquely, the report combines insights from 11 in-depth interviews with selected experts from around the world with a proven track record in AI along with findings from two global surveys of channel partners and end customers that generated in excess of 5500 responses from more than 60 countries in 2024. Key themes emerging include the balance between on-premise, cloud and edge computing, ethical considerations for responsible AI deployment, and the need for greater collaboration to enable better integration.
“AI remains one of the most powerful and transformative technologies within the video surveillance industry. This new research reveals that while there are significant opportunities for AI to improve safety and security, operational efficiency and business intelligence, there must be a focus on ethical implementation and meaningful integrations which drive value,” said Mats Thulin, Director AI & Analytics Solutions – Axis Communications.
AI adoption offers significant business and societal advantages, including greater efficiency, improved decision-making, and enhanced output quality. However, it also presents challenges with the survey of channel partners and end customers highlighting cybersecurity, risk and privacy (61%), analytics
and actionable insights (36%), and AI and generative AI (34%) among the most significant
trends shaping their industry and operations.
Nine thematic insights regarding AI technologies emerging from the expert interviews are also uncovered in this new report including:
The transition to cloud and edge AI continues to accelerate
The research findings highlight that the hybrid model, which combines the immediate processing capabilities of edge AI on cameras with the scalability and long-term data storage of the cloud, is emerging as the preferred approach by many.
The integration of diverse data sources
Combining multiple streams of data enables more accurate detection and prediction of potential threats. The integration of additional sensory data, such as audio and contextual environmental factors, to complement video data will enhance situational awareness, provide deeper, more actionable insights, and offer a more comprehensive understanding of events.
Facial recognition gains traction
Facial recognition will continue to gain traction globally, but there must first be alignment with privacy regulations and transparency about how the technology works. Ethical considerations around the use of facial recognition remain a central focus, particularly in regions with strong privacy laws.
Navigating responsible AI
Embedding responsible AI practices early in the development process was a recurring theme. This means designing systems that prioritize fairness, transparency, and data privacy from the outset, rather than integrating these considerations after deployment. Human oversight is seen as key while transparency is viewed as a prerequisite for trust.
Mats Thulin concludes: “As a company, Axis is committed to the advancement of responsible AI. Our approach to AI is rooted in one overarching principle: That AI technology, just like all technologies, should leverage and augment human intelligence, build on respect for human rights and should benefit people and society. This is in line with Axis vision, to innovate for a smarter, safer world.”
