Axis reveals new study on the future of AI in security

Axis Communications has released its critical study on the use of AI in the video surveillance industry with perspectives from leading AI experts.

The companies report: ‘The state of AI in video surveillance’ (2025) explores the potential of AI to improve security and safety as well, as its impact on operational efficiency through its ability to extract business intelligence from video data.

The report

Axis’ report combines insights from 11 in-depth interviews with 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.

The company states that the key themes throughout the report, include:

• The balance between on-premise, cloud and edge computing
• Ethical considerations for responsible AI deployment
• The need for greater collaboration to enable better integration

“Ethical implementation and meaningful integrations”

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,” he added.

AI adoption

The company notes that AI adoption offers significant business and societal advantages, including:

• Greater efficiency
• Improved decision-making
• Enhanced output quality

However, among the most significant trends shaping their industry and operations, it also presents challenges with the survey of channel partners and end customers highlighting:

• Cybersecurity, risk and privacy (61%)
• Analytics and actionable insights (36%)
• AI and generative AI (34%)

Exploring AI technologies in the report

Axis Communications states in the report that nine thematic insights regarding AI technologies emerging from the expert interviews are also uncovered, 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 prioritise 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.

“Benefit people and society”

Mats Thulin continued: “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,” Thulin concluded.