New report highlights top trends and expert insights around AI’s transformation of the video surveillance industry as ethics and responsible development become a central focus.
Key findings:
- Ethical approaches, data protection, and regulatory compliance are positioned as essential conditions for the sector's development underscoring the need for partnerships
- Video surveillance moves beyond traditional security, presenting opportunities for cameras with intelligent sensors being used to optimise efficiency and decision-making
- Shift to hybrid architectures (cloud + edge AI) accelerating to support local analytics and deliver real time responsiveness in critical incidents
Axis Communications, a global leader in network video, 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.
Mats Thulin, Director AI & Analytics Solutions - Axis Communications, commented: "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.”
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.”
About the report
‘The state of AI in video surveillance’ report (2025) combines insights from eleven in-depth, semi-structured, one-hour interviews with carefully selected technology partners and system integrators from across the world that demonstrated a proven track record and extensive expertise in the field of AI. To supplement the interview findings, data was drawn from two global surveys conducted by Axis in 2024 including the Axis sales channel survey which generated circa 4900 responses from distributors and channel partners in 68 countries; and the Axis end customer survey yielding around 900 responses from 64 countries.
Axis enables a smarter and safer world by improving security, safety, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers video surveillance, access control, intercoms, and audio solutions. These are enhanced by intelligent analytics applications and supported by high-quality training.
Axis has around 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, Sweden.