Genetec Inc., an influential name in enterprise physical security software, urges organizations in Saudi Arabia to prioritize the practical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in security operations. This recommendation comes as the country experiences significant infrastructure growth, leading to larger volumes of video, alarms, sensor, and incident data for security teams to manage.
AI is gaining traction within the physical security sector. According to the 2026 Genetec State of Physical Security report, which analyzed feedback from over 7,300 security professionals worldwide, AI, access control, and video surveillance are identified as key future priorities. However, 70% of end-user respondents expressed concerns regarding the design and implementation of AI systems, highlighting the essential need for credible and useful AI applications rather than mere adoption for trend’s sake.
Cloud Security Systems Gaining Ground
In Saudi Arabia, interest in advanced and interconnected security infrastructures is on the rise. The local insights from the 2026 State of Physical Security Report revealed that 43% of respondents increased their physical security budgets in 2025, which nearly doubles the EMEA average of 24%. Saudi Arabia also leads EMEA with the highest implementation of cloud-based physical security systems, used by 13% of survey participants, compared to an average of 7% across EMEA.
Mohamad Saad, Country Manager for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at Genetec Inc., emphasized, "AI has the potential to support security teams in meaningful ways, but its value depends on how responsibly and practically it is applied. 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."
The Role of AI in Improving Efficiency
Trust is critical in environments handling sensitive information, such as physical security systems
AI's real advantage in physical security lies in enhancing the efficiency of teams and facilitating superior decision-making. Intelligent automation during live monitoring can filter out trivial events and highlight important alarms, while in investigative scenarios, AI aids in quickly sifting through extensive video footage and metadata, making it easier to find relevant evidence. This process allows operators to gain better context when ascertaining situations.
Integrating disconnected technology systems is crucial. When video, access control, sensor, and communication data sources are interconnected, security teams gain a complete overview of occurrences, avoiding fragmented operational workflows. In Saudi Arabia, where security investments are on an upward trajectory and cloud technology adoption is increasing, these developments support modernization while ensuring flexibility and operational control.
Ensuring Trust with Sensitive Information
Trust is critical in environments handling sensitive information, such as physical security systems. Privacy, transparency, and accountability must be inherent components. AI’s role should be to complement human efforts, not replace them, as the judgment and contextual understanding of security operators cannot be replicated by technology. AI assists by managing extensive data, emphasizing critical details, and expediting decision-making, though humans should make final decisions.
As security landscapes in Saudi Arabia become increasingly interconnected and data-reliant, adopting a practical and responsible AI strategy can aid organizations in navigating complexity, enhancing resilience, and adding tangible value to their security frameworks.
