NVIDIA - Experts & Thought Leaders

Verkada, a pioneer in AI-powered physical security and operations, announces a collaboration with NVIDIA to accelerate the development and deployment of physical AI across the built environment. NVIDIA also joins as a new investor in Verkada, following a strategic investment from Alphabet’s CapitalG at the end of last year. Verkada is applying AI to transform how schools, hospitals, retailers, manufacturers, and other organisations turn real-world operational data into actionable intelligence — helping keep people and places safe. Augment training datasets “Verkada has been building and deploying Physical AI before the term existed. With our footprint of more than 2.4 million devices across 170 countries and 30,000 organisations, we’ve proven that the built environment is one of the largest beneficiaries of AI," said Filip Kaliszan, co-founder and CEO of Verkada. "Working with NVIDIA supercharges what we've spent nearly a decade building: AI that keeps students safe in schools, protects workers on factory floors, helps retailers prevent theft, and enables organisations to operate more efficiently." Verkada is strengthening the models and data flywheel underpinning its intelligent video analytics through its collaboration with NVIDIA, advancing AI-powered video search, multimodal embeddings and vector retrieval for next-generation semantic search, and synthetic data generation to augment training datasets and improve accuracy. Accelerated model training By leveraging NVIDIA Cosmos world foundation models and NVIDIA Physical AI Data Factory, Verkada has accelerated model training and inference across its rapidly expanding global footprint on NVIDIA accelerated computing. Since the collaboration began, Verkada has improved the mean average precision (mAP) of its AI-powered search by 68% for spatial-temporal understanding, delivering faster, more accurate, and more robust search capabilities. Verkada is also developing a multi-model search agent architecture and exploring reasoning models to address complex, unstructured real-world scenarios — from identifying health and safety incidents on a manufacturing floor to detecting shrinkage in retail environments. The collaborative effort reflects Verkada’s broader focus on bringing more capable, context-aware AI to make built environments resilient and safe.

Milestone XPerience Days in Las Vegas are packed with inspiration. Technology partners like NVIDIA and Dell bring their vision for what becomes possible when the right infrastructure meets the right intelligent video platform. Ten Milestone customers will show what this looks like in the real world – from law enforcement and healthcare to smart cities and transportation. And not least, Milestone’s product and technology leaders will share the future of the platform. “Milestone is bringing forward a future-proof video management platform built for the AI era, with analytics that help move security operations from reactive to more predictive. Combined with the strength of our open platform, this creates new and powerful possibilities for customers and partners alike,” says Andrew Burnett, Chief Technology Officer at Milestone Systems. Expanded product portfolio With the two-day event in Las Vegas and a brand-new Experience Center for partners and customers at its regional headquarters in Portland, Oregon, Milestone is sharpening its focus on the US market. “We are transforming into one unified Milestone with an expanded product portfolio of XProtect Video Management Software, BriefCam AI-driven analytics and Arcules cloud-native VSaaS, all working together to help our customers capture everything and with the tools to understand what matters most,” says Tim Palmquist, Vice President for North America at Milestone Systems. Accelerated pace of change The opportunities are bigger than ever, but with innovation happening at an accelerated pace of change, organisations, enterprises, end users, integrators and resellers also face more choices than ever. “The pace of change and innovation means that the open platform approach matters more than ever. No single vendor can deliver everything or fully envision the technology of tomorrow. The most future-proof approach is an open ecosystem, where you can integrate new technology and adapt quickly,” says Tim Palmquist. AI that works for humans The real opportunity AI offers in security is to make operators and users more capable, help them cut through noise, surface what matters, and free human judgment for the moments that require it. For the channel, this shift creates entirely new service and solution categories, and a customer base hungry for guidance on how to get there. "False alarms aren't just an annoyance. They're a trust problem. When operators learn to ignore alerts because most of them don't mean anything, the system stops working. That's the real cost of poor detection," says Tim Palmquist. The physical AI frontier Day two opens with a keynote from NVIDIA's Adam Scraba, Global Business Development, on the frontier of Physical AI, followed by a fireside chat with Milestone’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Burnett. Physical AI marks a fundamental shift in how video intelligence operates, moving from data centers into the physical world itself. Where traditional AI analyses footage after the fact, Physical AI enables systems to perceive, reason, and act in real environments in real time. For security operators this means a new frontier of capability: systems that don't just record what happens but understand it as it unfolds – and respond within the boundaries, that humans define. Major international airport Scraba and Burnett will discuss how and where NVIDIA and Milestone see the biggest opportunities for users over the next three to five years. "Physical AI is the new frontier, where the next decade of video intelligence gets built, and we move from systems that record the world to systems that understand it and act on it intelligently,” says Burnett. At the event, there will also be a close look into Las Vegas as one of the most complex security and operations environments on earth with millions of visitors, a major international airport, miles of public infrastructure, and police department responsible for keeping all of it safe, around the clock. Leaders from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Harry Reid International Airport, and Clark County School District will pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to run intelligent security at the scale of Vegas. That is one of the many inspirational panels and talks addressing the +400 attendees, sponsors and partners. Innovation on display at MXD The open platform ecosystem is on display throughout the exhibit hall. The technology partners at MXD USA 2026 were selected because what they have built on the Milestone platform is innovative, useful, and worth your time. The Platinum sponsors of MXD this year are Axis Communications, Hanwha Vision, O-insights, Wasabi and LenelS2. The Gold sponsors are Dell Technologies, i-PRO, Swear, IQSight, Tiger Surveillance, Genea and the Boring Lab. The Silver sponsors at the event are Acre, BCD, Commend, Eye QT Monitor, Gallagher Security, Optex, Pelco, SecuriThings, Tablet Media, FLIR, Vaidio, Vega, Vivotek and Zenitel. Other partners sponsoring the event include ADI, ScanSource and TD Synnex.

Nutanix, a pioneer in hybrid multicloud computing, announces the Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) solution is NVIDIA-Certified at the enterprise level. NVIDIA-Certified Storage is designed to enable enterprises and cloud providers to confidently deploy storage solutions that support the performance, security, and scale required for large-scale production AI workloads. Nutanix is also advancing AI-native storage with planned support for NVIDIA Vera BlueField-4 STX, reinforcing its focus on faster data access, greater storage efficiency, and simpler AI operations at scale. Maximise GPU utilisation As enterprises and cloud providers race to build AI factories to support production AI workloads, they require infrastructure that can keep data moving, maximise GPU utilisation, and reduce deployment risk. Success depends not only on access to powerful GPUs but on the ability to feed those systems with data efficiently and reliably. Fragmented infrastructure, siloed data, and inconsistent performance can slow deployments, limit GPU efficiency, and make AI harder to scale reliably. With this certification, Nutanix is providing enterprises and cloud providers with a validated configuration to support enterprise deployment of AI infrastructure. The certification helps ensure NUS is validated for full-stack interoperability with NVIDIA AI infrastructure, helping to reduce I/O bottlenecks and integration risk. By enabling linear scalability for the data-hungry demands of AI workloads, it helps ensure an organisation’s most valuable assets, its GPUs and data, are working at maximum efficiency in production environments. Modern AI workloads “To build and run AI factories successfully, enterprises must move past fragmented infrastructure and data silos that limit GPU infrastructure efficiency,” said Thomas Cornely, executive vice president, Product Management, Nutanix. “This NVIDIA certification validates that Nutanix Unified Storage delivers the full-stack interoperability, linear scalability, and reliable data velocity that modern AI workloads demand. By collaborating closely with NVIDIA, we are giving customers a unified, high-performance foundation to scale their production AI operations with confidence.” Agentic AI workloads "As enterprises scale their AI factory deployments to meet demanding agentic AI workloads, storage is foundational to unlocking full-stack performance, efficiency, and accuracy,” said Jason Hardy, vice president, Storage Technology, NVIDIA. “Nutanix Unified Storage achieving NVIDIA certification gives customers a trusted, interoperable foundation to eliminate data bottlenecks, maximise GPU utilisation, and scale production AI workloads with confidence." Built on a 10-node, all NVMe cluster, NUS leverages enhanced parallel NFS (pNFS) and GPUDirect Storage over NFS with RDMA to establish a low-latency, high-throughput, and resilient data path directly between GPUs and storage—maximising utilisation while minimising downtime. Large-scale AI performance The result is a scalable foundation for enterprise AI that helps customers move from targeted GPU deployments to larger production environments while keeping storage performance predictable as AI workloads expand. To support large-scale AI performance, the solution uses NVIDIA Spectrum X Ethernet, including NVIDIA Spectrum 4 switches and BlueField 3 DPUs, and delivers linear scalability from 10 GB/s read and 5 GB/s write for 32 GPUs to 160 GB/s read and 80 GB/s write for 1,024 GPUs. This resilient, zero-downtime architecture provides a flexible foundation for AI workloads, supporting training, fine-tuning, inference, and RAG pipelines across a wide range of compute platforms including x86-based systems (NVIDIA RTX 6000 PRO Blackwell, NVIDIA H200 NVL), NVIDIA HGX servers with B200, H200, or H100 GPUs, and NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip configurations. The NVIDIA-Certified Nutanix Unified Storage reference architecture is available today. Planned support for NVIDIA BlueField-4 STX is expected to be available in the second half of 2026.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) had a major presence at the ISC West 2026 show in Las Vegas. Almost every booth offered some variation on AI and how intelligence is transforming the physical security industry. Several industry leaders led the way, showcasing how they are tackling complex security challenges with smarter, more efficient solutions. Obviously, the security industry will never be the same. Milestone Systems: Responsible AI and open platforms Milestone has declared 2026 the "year of delivery” on previously announced developments and enhancements. A standout feature is their new natural language AI search, which is being integrated across XProtect, Arcules, and Briefcam platforms to simplify how users interact with vast amounts of video data. A core pillar of their strategy is responsible AI development, which prioritises using licensed data over "scraped" data. They have introduced new anonymisation tools that protect privacy by replacing faces with AI-generated characteristics like hair color while keeping the person unrecognisable. Furthermore, Milestone is moving workloads to Linux to reduce costs, transitioning toward an app marketplace, and has partnered with NVIDIA for the "Hafnia" project to ensure high-quality data to train AI models. Ambarella: Powering the edge with AI chips With their presence at ISC West in a meeting room near the trade show floor, Ambarella is the "engine" behind many high-performance intelligent video products, specialising in low-power AI chips like the N1 and CV7 families. Their technology is moving beyond cameras, where they provide systems-on-chips [SOCs] to many manufacturers. They have expanded into "AI boxes" that can process 64+ video channels simultaneously. A standout feature is the Natural Language technology, which allows users to search for specific objects or abstract scenes using simple prompts. To address modern security concerns, Ambarella has implemented "agentic" programming for a no-code development of automated workflows and media signing to combat AI-generated deepfakes by verifying video integrity through metadata. Motorola Solutions: Simplifying intelligence Motorola Solutions shows physical security evolving into a real-time enterprise intelligence layer Motorola Solutions is prioritising user accessibility by integrating natural language processing into its system configuration. Motorola's portfolio demonstrates how physical security technology is evolving into a real-time operational intelligence layer across the enterprise. Instead of requiring custom coding, operators can now use simple commands—like asking the system to "show me when someone fell down"—to set up advanced analytics and search parameters. The company is also deploying AI agents designed to aggregate data and automatically flag safety or compliance risks, such as perimeter breaches or blocked fire exits.  To ensure maximum utility of the hardware, Motorola Solutions’ system can ingest massive, complex physical manuals and automatically generate monitoring rules based on those standard operating procedures. Furthermore, Motorola is focusing on interoperability, using industry-standard interfaces to ingest data from various hardware brands and networks. This approach aims to provide operators with clear, recommended next steps during critical events, streamlining the decision-making process in high-pressure environments. i-PRO: Putting generative AI at the edge i-PRO is bringing generative AI directly to the edge with a new fisheye camera i-PRO is bringing generative AI directly to the edge with a new fisheye camera, which processes complex analytics locally rather than relying solely on the cloud. These cameras, on display at ISC West, have moved beyond simple attribute-based tracking to identify complex behaviors like aggression, fighting, and slip-and-fall incidents.  By running on the latest Ambarella chips, i-PRO cameras can use generative AI to improve image quality and analyse scenes in real-time without external processing. This focus on edge-based intelligence ensures high-performance analytics are available even in environments where constant cloud connectivity might be a challenge. Brivo: The rise of agentic AI Brivo and Eagle Eye Networks have officially unified under the Brivo name, focusing on streamlining the experience for large integrators. They are pioneers in agentic AI, introducing features that allow users to talk to their mobile apps to initiate lockdowns or add users. Their Eagle Eye Video Assistant (EEVA) acts as a natural language AI agent that can monitor for specific threats, such as a brandished weapon or a specific vehicle, and automatically trigger access control responses. By treating access and video as a unified system, Brivo enables users to connect specific video skills—like detecting a red car or a brandished weapon—to automated access control actions. They are also using AI to achieve "zero-cost integration," linking disparate cloud systems using AI-generated instructions. Everon: Emphasis on video monitoring Everon is making a massive investment in active video monitoring, using AI-driven systems to deter crime even before it happens. “The market is ripe for it, and customers are demanding it,” says David Charney, Everon’s Sr. Vice President, Video Command Center. Employing virtual guards who can use voice commands, lights, and horns to "shoo away" unauthorised individuals. The company has implemented senior-level leadership that has facilitated more than 5,000 video-based apprehensions. Everon, specialising in integrated systems for multi-site businesses, uses a rigorous selection process to choose AI providers that can accurately filter alerts for specific applications, such as identifying when a fire door is blocked. As a "trusted advisor" to their 300,000 customers, the company focuses on delivering professional-level results that move beyond basic recording to proactive threat mitigation. Hanwha: New hybrid VMS combines cloud and on-prem Hanwha Vision highlighted the official public launch of Blaze, a hybrid video management system (VMS). The platform uses a hybrid architecture to manage on-premise and cloud-connected devices across multiple sites without complex port forwarding. Blaze features native AI capabilities, including semantic search that allows operators to find specific incidents using natural language queries, such as "person with a safety jacket." The AI security platform lets teams search surveillance footage the way they search Google. AI similarity detection allows operators to quickly trace a person’s movement and investigate incidents faster (useful in active shooter behavior, medical emergencies, or crowd panic scenarios, and more). The system also provides a "histogram" view of traffic patterns to help security professionals quickly identify anomalies in historical footage. OpenEye: Operational intelligence and shift to OpEx OpenEye unveiled AI-powered features such as visual chat and scene analysis OpenEye is redefining video surveillance by moving intelligence from the camera level to the cloud, significantly reducing the need for on-site server management. At ISC West, OpenEye introduced new AI-driven tools like visual chat and scene analysis. Beyond security, these tools provide valuable operational alerts, such as identifying overflowing dumpsters, dirty tables in restaurants, or vehicles blocking dock doors.  The system also utilises natural language for search, allowing users to find specific attributes like "people wearing backpacks" within designated timeframes. OpenEye also highlighted an industry-wide shift toward operational expenditures (OpEx) billing models, as users increasingly prefer predictable monthly or yearly payments over large upfront capital expenditures (CapEx). This model aligns with their channel-based operations, meeting customers where they currently operate without the burden of high fees. IQSIGHT: New name, same mission for Bosch video Formerly Bosch Video, the newly named IQSIGHT seeks to maintain the “Bosch pedigree” under the new name. It’s the same engineering, manufacturing, etc. IQSIGHT also pledges to be "easier to do business with" by improving user interfaces and end-to-end user experiences. Despite the transition, the company has increased their pace of innovation and reinforced the open systems philosophy with enhanced integrations with Milestone, Genetec, and others. The major product release at the show is IVA Pro Context, which uses generative AI to provide human-level scene understanding. Through a partnership with Laelaps AI, a robotics startup, IQSIGHT is exploring autonomous dispatch and response. When a camera identifies a scene, it triggers a robot to provide a tailored response. Commercialisation is expected in 12 to 18 months. Verkada: How their system can solve a crime But how does AI operate in the real world? Verkada had a “themed” exhibit demonstrating how their system could solve a hypothetical theft at the Louvre museum in Paris. The exhibit took attendees through and showed how Verkada technologies (e.g., license plate recognition and search capabilities) could provide fast results to solve the crime. AI-powered tools, like their newest unified timeline, demonstrate value in the real world of investigations.

An attention-grabbing exhibit at GSX 2024 in Orlando involved a robot dog that could open a door.  Boston Dynamics robot dog ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the robotics demonstration, featuring the Boston Dynamics robot dog that could open a door using either an HID credential or a mechanical grip. This innovation represents a shift toward more autonomous security solutions and is suitable for environments where human access may be limited. ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the Boston Dynamics robot dog Operational efficiency Eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology It was one of many eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology, and offering practical solutions to the industry's challenges.  For security professionals, the advancements presented opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and to maintain a proactive stance in a rapidly evolving market.  Control ID face identification Alongside their robot demonstration, ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification.  Access Controller, providing advanced facial recognition access control. From identity management to AI-driven surveillance systems, GSX 2024 offered a glimpse into the tools that can streamline processes, increase security, and reduce costs. Here are some other highlights. ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification More integration with critical infrastructure  A major theme at GSX 2024 was the increasing integration of security solutions with critical infrastructure. ALCEA (formerly ASSA ABLOY Critical Infrastructure) is an example. Their globalised software solution ALWIN is designed for managing access control, visitor management, and other security factors across multiple locations. ALCEA's approach involves not only internal collaborations within ASSA ABLOY but also partnerships with external organisations. An example of innovation is the Neenah Foundry lockable manhole cover, blending safety and security. Solving identity management challenges  The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies Identity management continues to be a key focus in the security sector, and AMAG Technology addresses this need with its Symmetry Connect product. The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies. For professionals overseeing identity access management, Symmetry Connect provides a streamlined, automated approach, reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency. AMAG also sees a growing demand for efficient visitor management systems, especially in the post-COVID landscape. AMAG’s products cater to the need for enhanced security without overburdening staff.  AI and cloud-based surveillance solutions  Axis Communications highlighted its advancements in AI and cloud-based video management systems with its AXIS Camera Station Edge and Pro products. These solutions can connect seamlessly to cloud systems, providing security professionals with easy access to surveillance data anywhere. With the increasing need for centralised management, Axis’s offerings ensure that security teams can efficiently manage surveillance with minimal infrastructure. Axis also showcased its commitment to AI-driven analytics based on superior video quality. There were also networked audio solutions for public announcements and background music, among other uses. Body-worn cameras for corporate and healthcare uses  Traditionally focused on law enforcement, Axon is now expanding its body-worn cameras and TASER technology into corporate, retail and healthcare environments. Their Axon Body Workforce camera is a practical solution for protecting frontline workers in high-risk environments.  Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness, a significant benefit for large campuses or remote locations. As more industries adopt corporate surveillance systems, Axon’s offerings provide flexible, scalable solutions that address the need for real-time, actionable intelligence.  Cloud-based access for smart buildings  Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options Brivo showcased how cloud technology is revolutionising access control by offering systems that integrate seamlessly with other smart building platforms. Their open API approach enables collaboration with IT teams, bridging the gap between physical security and IT management. Brivo’s new partnership with Comcast Smart Solutions illustrates how large enterprises can implement advanced solutions, including access control while maintaining flexibility. For professionals managing complex building environments, Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options.  AI-powered multi-sensor camera  Hanwha focused on an AI-powered multi-sensor camera, equipped with an NVIDIA processor capable of running complex analytics. In addition, Hanwha’s new AI camera technology can process multiple video streams simultaneously, either stream from its sensors or outside cameras, enabling better tracking of objects in complex environments. Their eight-channel AI Box, which converts legacy cameras into AI-enabled devices, is an attractive solution for professionals seeking to upgrade existing systems without the need for complete overhauls. For security teams looking to enhance situational awareness, Hanwha’s AI-based offerings provide advanced, scalable solutions.  Workflow management and hybrid cloud security  Genetec continued the theme of integrated solutions with their Operations Centre module for Security Centre, which consolidates work management into a single platform. Built on lean management principles, this system simplifies workflow for security professionals, promoting real-time collaboration across mobile and web platforms. As the industry shifts from on-premises systems to hybrid cloud solutions, Genetec’s products provide seamless transitions for organisations. Their new SaaS Security Centre also allows for natural language video searches in multiple languages, making it easier for global teams to manage operations across locations.  Simplifying remote surveillance  The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency is demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service Eagle Eye Networks showcased their continued international expansion, highlighting a new data centre opening in Saudi Arabia and new hiring initiatives in Australia and Europe. Their “Eagle Eye Anywhere” solar-powered camera system exemplifies the move towards flexible, easy-to-install solutions that can be deployed in remote locations. Integrators benefit from simplified maintenance through remote management, reducing the need for on-site support and ensuring operational continuity. The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency, as demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service, reflects the broader industry’s shift toward managed security services.  Tailored solutions for commercial clients  Everon continues its transition away from its former identity as ADT Commercial. Claiming the status of a competitive commercial integrator, Everon is reinventing itself by offering customised billing and monitoring solutions for a range of industries. Their cloud-based business intelligence platform, which combines video surveillance with data analysis, is aimed at enhancing operational awareness by detecting anomalies such as OSHA violations or retail point-of-sale exceptions. With AI-driven dashboards, clients can customise their security solutions to meet specific needs, reflecting a growing demand for tailored, data-driven security applications.  Innovation through cloud and mobile LenelS2 is part of Honeywell, and they emphasised their investment in cloud and mobile solutions at GSX 2024. Their "Enterprise OnGuard Cloud" platform, launched in June 2024, is a testament to the growing demand for cloud-enabled access control systems. With the addition of NFC-enabled Blue Diamond credentials, LenelS2 is pushing towards smarter, more secure mobile access options. The strategic combination of Lenel’s solutions with Honeywell’s infrastructure offers users enhanced engineering capabilities and global reach. This reflects a broader market trend of integrating mobile devices into physical security protocols.  Bringing AI to everyday security LPR system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying security risks March Networks highlighted their new AI-driven smart search feature, designed to help security teams quickly detect operational anomalies in retail and financial environments. From identifying misplaced cash in quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to detecting "jackpotting" attacks on ATMs, their solution highlights the increasing importance of AI in enhancing both security and operational efficiency. Their Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying and responding to security risks in real-time, emphasising the practicality of AI in daily security operations.  Driving sustainability in security  Securitas showcased its commitment to sustainability, a growing concern for businesses across all industries. By providing CO2 data for clients and promoting digital tools like mobile credentials, Securitas is leading the charge in creating greener, more sustainable security solutions. Their focus on remote services and occupancy insights offers companies a way to reduce their environmental impact while enhancing security operations. The company’s alignment with science-based targets and circular economy practices signifies the increasing role sustainability will play in the security sector.  Future lies in integration  The GSX 2024 trade show revealed that the future of security lies in intelligent integration, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based management systems. The innovations presented will help security professionals streamline their operations, enhance situational awareness, and future-proof their systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, professionals must stay informed about the latest advancements to maintain a competitive edge in the security marketplace. GSX was a great place to start. At the end of the day at GSX, it wasn’t just the robot dog that was opening doors …. to the future of security systems. {##Poll1727925373 - Of the important factors highlighted at GSX 2024, which do you consider most when adopting new security solutions?##}

The basic need for public safety is one of the biggest forces driving the adoption of smart city solutions: approaches that seek to solve urban challenges through technological means. The thinking behind these initiatives is that with enough internet connectivity and real-time data, surely environmental, social, economic, and public health issues should become more manageable. However, just adding more technology is not the whole answer. Although technology is necessary for an urban area to transition in to a safe and smart city, technology alone isn’t sufficient. Truly smart cities are savvy cities and that includes how they employ software, sensing, communications and other technologies to meet their needs. Cities need solutions that help find what you need and convert the ‘too much information’ into ‘actionable intelligence’ Some of those initiatives, however, like red light cameras or computerised flight passenger screening systems, have amounted to little more than ‘security theater’, which might waste limited resources and further delay the smart city transition due to over-hyped solutions and unrealistic projected return on investment. In other words, technology doesn’t necessarily result in more safety. But does this mean we are also more likely to quickly find what we need? Cities need solutions that help find what you need (e.g. a missing child or a suspect) and convert the ‘too much information’ into ‘actionable intelligence’. Data capture form to appear here! Better connectivity promotes safety There is a growing shift towards younger generations wanting to live in the city where they have access to public transportation, restaurants and entertainment. They also expect to live in a safer environment, and this is where the smart city approach comes into play with the introduction of WiFi in parks and public spaces, along with surveillance systems. These two solutions and services can now sit on the same network, thanks to better connectivity options and interference free solutions, such as mmWave wireless radios. Younger generations expect to live in a safer environment, and this is where the smart city approach comes into play with the introduction of WiFi in parks and public spaces, along with surveillance systems For example, Siklu Inc., a provider of mmWave wireless solutions, announces Smart City deployments based on Siklu’s broad E-band and V-band product portfolio previously reached, and now have likely surpassed, a milestone of 100 cities installed. Smart Cities, which were initially defined as municipalities connecting low data rate sensors for water, gas and more, have been evolving to demand high-capacity connectivity at gigabit-per-second speed. This high-bandwidth network infrastructure is needed to support new applications such as video security, public Wi-Fi backhaul, and private city network deployments. Linking AI and smart cities Dubai is an example of how artificial intelligence and smart city projects have become intrinsically linked. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, authorities in Dubai have set out to “make Dubai the happiest city on Earth” by adopting cutting-edge smart city initiatives. Dubai Police has launched a range of public safety initiatives including Smart Police iOS apps, traffic accident and location systems, and SOS apps for wearable devices. Dubai Police shows how artificial intelligence can power new Robocop prototypes – unarmed, life-sized patrolling robots carrying facial recognition software and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR). Authorities in Dubai have set out to “make Dubai the happiest city on Earth” by adopting cutting-edge smart city initiatives NVIDIA’s Metropolis™ intelligent video analytics platform is paving the way for the creation of AI cities. Metropolis Deep Learning makes cities safer and smarter by applying deep learning to video streams for applications such as public safety, traffic management and resource optimisation. More than 50 NVIDIA AI city partner companies are already providing products and applications that use deep learning on GPUs. “Deep learning is enabling powerful intelligent video analytics that turn anonymised video into real-time valuable insights, enhancing safety and improving lives,” said Deepu Talla, vice president and general manager of the Tegra business at NVIDIA. “The NVIDIA Metropolis platform enables customers to put AI behind every video stream to create smarter cities.” Smarter access control in cities Advanced software suites can provide access to all operations performed by users A smart city is one that uses information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of government services and resident welfare. Smart access control is an important step forward in providing technologically advanced security management and access solutions to support the ambitions of smart cities and their respectively smart industries. With high volumes of people entering and exiting different areas of the city, it is important to be able to trace who has been where, when and for how long. Advanced software suites can provide access to all operations performed by users, including a complete audit trail. This information is often used by business owners or managers for audits, improvements or compliance. Read parts two and three of our Smart Cities miniseries.