Genetec Inc. has urged organizations in Saudi Arabia to prioritize practical and responsible AI in physical security as security teams manage growing volumes of video, alarms, sensor data, and incident information amid the Kingdom’s rapid infrastructure expansion.

The company said artificial intelligence is receiving increased attention across the physical security industry. According to the 2026 Genetec State of Physical Security Report, based on insights from more than 7,300 security professionals worldwide, AI ranked alongside access control and video surveillance as one of the top priorities for the year ahead.

However, the report also found that 70% of end-user respondents are concerned about how AI systems are designed and implemented. This highlights the importance of focusing on trusted and measurable use cases instead of adopting AI without a clear operational purpose.

The findings are particularly relevant for Saudi Arabia, where organizations continue to invest in modern and connected security infrastructure. The Saudi Arabia section of the 2026 State of Physical Security Report revealed that 43% of respondents reported increased physical security budgets in 2025. This is nearly double the EMEA average of 24%.

In addition, Saudi Arabia recorded the highest adoption of cloud-based physical security systems in the EMEA region. Around 13% of respondents said they use cloud security systems, compared with the regional average of 7%.

“AI has the potential to support security teams in meaningful ways, but its value depends on how responsibly and practically it is applied,” said Mohamad Saad, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at Genetec Inc.

He added, “For organizations in Saudi Arabia, the priority should not be adopting AI for its own sake. It should be about using AI to solve real operational challenges, improve response times and support better decision-making while keeping people in control.”

Genetec said the greatest value of AI in physical security lies in helping security teams improve efficiency and make better decisions. During live monitoring, intelligent automation can reduce nuisance events and highlight alarms that require immediate attention.

The company also noted that AI can simplify investigations by helping teams search through large volumes of video and metadata more efficiently. This reduces the time required to locate relevant evidence while providing operators with greater context to understand incidents.

Furthermore, Genetec emphasized the importance of connected and open security platforms. By integrating video surveillance, access control, sensors, communications, and other data sources, organizations can gain a clearer view of security events while avoiding disconnected workflows.

For Saudi organizations, where investment in security technologies continues to grow and cloud adoption is increasing, connected platforms can support modernization while maintaining flexibility and operational control.

Genetec also stressed that trust remains essential when deploying AI technologies. Since physical security systems often process sensitive information, privacy, transparency, and accountability should be built into solutions from the beginning.

The company said AI should support security professionals rather than replace them. While AI can process large amounts of information, identify relevant events, and assist faster decision-making, human operators and investigators remain responsible for applying judgment, context, and experience to final decisions.

As physical security environments become increasingly connected and data driven, Genetec believes that AI in physical security can help organizations in Saudi Arabia manage complexity, strengthen resilience, and deliver measurable operational value through practical and responsible implementation.

Related post

View all