AI in video-based security: Axis Communications publishes report “The State of AI in Video Surveillance 2025”

Ismaning, 30.04.2025 - Axis Communications, a technology leader in network video, has published its first AI report, "The State of AI in Video Surveillance 2025". It explores current perspectives for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video-based security and beyond. The report offers valuable insights into AI technologies, their integration, and the associated opportunities, challenges, and risks—particularly with regard to security, operational efficiency, and business intelligence.

The use of AI has increased significantly over the past two years, primarily due to growing customer demands, increased knowledge of and experience with potential applications, and newly developed application scenarios. Axis therefore interviewed AI experts in its global partner network about the importance of AI in their respective industries and compiled and analyzed the insights gained on AI technologies in its new report.

The results at a glance:

• Executives: 66 percent of executives surveyed consider AI and generative AI to be the most important priority for their company in the near future, followed by cybersecurity, cyber risk and data protection (61 percent) and analytics and actionable results based on them (56 percent).
• Partners: 62 percent of partners surveyed rate AI and generative AI as the most important future trend, on par with cybersecurity, cyber risks, and data protection (also 62 percent), and followed by analytics and actionable results based on them (50 percent).
• End customers: For end customers, cybersecurity, cyber risks, and data protection (61 percent) are the most important priority, followed by analytics and actionable results (36 percent), and AI and generative AI in third place (34 percent).

The shift towards cloud and edge AI continues

As the report shows, the shift from locally operated server systems to hybrid architectures continues apace. This development is driven by a need for greater scalability, faster data processing, and optimized bandwidth utilization. A hybrid model that combines the immediate data processing capabilities of edge AI—that is, AI-based real-time analytics "on the edge" directly on the cameras themselves—with the scalability and long-term data storage in the cloud is emerging as the preferred approach for many companies. This flexibility allows them to leverage the advantages of both technologies.

The integration of different data sources

Respondents agreed that the integration of additional sensor data, such as audio and contextual environmental data, meaningfully complements video data and leads to more comprehensive and actionable insights. This enables more precise analysis and assessment of events and situations, improving both security and business intelligence functions—that is, functions for optimizing the entire business process.

Combining multiple data streams enables more accurate detection and prediction of potential threats and anomalies. By linking video and audio analytics data, security professionals can respond more quickly and effectively to emergency situations. This more comprehensive, context-aware approach replicates the way humans absorb and process information from diverse data sources in their natural environment, representing a significant advance in improving security and business processes.

New application scenarios for operational efficiency and business intelligence

The integration of AI-based analytics transforms network cameras into powerful, data-generating sensors. Cloud computing provides AI-enabled edge devices like cameras with the necessary processing power and has the potential to redefine the video security industry. In the interviews, respondents highlighted this paradigm shift and also emphasized that AI-powered video solutions are now also being used in industries such as retail, logistics, and manufacturing.

Common application scenarios in these areas include the optimization of space planning, people counting, asset tracking, and resource management. One topic that is repeatedly mentioned in this context is the potential for significant cost savings and improvements in operational efficiency through AI. Embedding video analytics within a broader context of business intelligence systems can help companies improve resource allocation and process automation, as well as enable more informed decision-making.

Facial recognition is gaining importance

The report also shows that facial recognition is increasingly being used in various countries, driven by new regulatory requirements that provide greater clarity regarding ethically acceptable use cases for the technology and provide a framework for its responsible use.

Respondents expect facial recognition to become even more important worldwide. However, before this happens, data protection regulations must be adjusted and clarity on how this technology works must be established. Ethical considerations therefore remain a priority, especially in regions with strict data protection laws.

"Artificial intelligence is one of the most powerful and transformative technologies in video-based security today. Our report highlights that AI offers enormous opportunities to improve security, increase operational efficiency, and optimize business processes long-term. At the same time, companies in our region must continue to place great emphasis on ethical implementation and meaningful integration to create sustainable value," says Tobias Metsch, Regional Director Middle Europe at Axis Communications.

Methodology

The report combines insights from in-depth interviews with AI experts from Axis Communications' global partner network conducted throughout 2024 with data from two global surveys conducted by Axis Communications among approximately 4,900 distributors and channel partners in 68 countries and approximately 900 end customers in 64 countries in the second quarter of 2024.

The complete report “The State of AI in Video Surveillance 2025” with further details and findings can be downloaded  here .

Exhibitor Data Sheet