Milestone acquires brighter AI: Video anonymisation tech

Milestone Systems is pleased to announce the acquisition of brighter AI, effective April 1, 2025. The Berlin-based technology company, brighter AI, provides anonymisation solutions for video data based on state-of-the-art deep learning technology to protect people’s identities in public.

The advances of artificial intelligence raise concerns around data privacy across the world. One of the biggest challenges in developing AI solutions is finding and accessing sufficient data that can be used.

Essential for AI technologies

There are no AI models to train, which are vital for existing AI technologies, such as ChatGPT

Without data, there are no AI models to train, which are essential for existing AI technologies such as ChatGPT and Copilot.

This challenge is particularly significant in video data, where it is even more difficult to find data that does not contain sensitive personal information. The solution lies within regulatory-compliant data and this is exactly what brighter AI’s anonymisation technology brings.

New opportunities with anonymisation capabilities

The acquisition of brighter AI also opens up a range of new opportunities with anonymisation capabilities and privacy enhancement, which protects data and enables full data privacy. The addition of brighter AI significantly strengthens Milestone’s offerings for video management software, video surveillance as a service and video analytics and fuels the company’s ongoing growth journey in and beyond security.

Additionally, brighter AI’s anonymisation technology serves as a cornerstone of the recently announced data library and AI model training tool Project Hafnia.

Strengthening European competitiveness

Combining two European tech pioneers with a focus on taking a responsible approach to AI development

The privacy-by-design tool developed by brighter AI further solidifies Milestone’s position as a pioneering Responsible Technology company.

Combining two European tech pioneers with a focus on taking a responsible approach to AI development will be a significant contribution to making Europe the pioneer in the global AI and tech landscape. It is a testament to European innovation and strengthens the continent’s competitiveness whilst protecting individual citizen’s privacy.

Anonymisation tool for video technology

“brighter AI is a perfect match for Milestone. Their proven technology is top-notch and will give us a wider offering to existing and future technology partners and customers. The anonymisation tool for video technology will also enhance our focus on responsible technology."

"Even more important, our two company cultures are highly compatible. Having known brighter AI for a while, as we have an established collaboration on Project Hafnia, I have complete faith that this will be a great benefit for all. I am indeed very pleased to welcome our new colleagues to Milestone,” says Thomas Jensen.

Anonymisation solution for video data based on AI

Founded in 2017 by Marian and Patrick Kern, brighter AI serves companies across various sectors and is the pioneering anonymisation solution for video data based on artificial intelligence. 

For the solution Deep Natural Anonymisation, which automatically detects a personal identifier such as a face and generates a synthetic replacement, brighter AI was named “Europe’s Hottest AI Startup” by Nvidia.

Future of visual AI

brighter AI serves across various sectors and is the anonymisation key for video data

“brighter AI was founded with the mission to make visual data usable in a privacy-preserving way. Joining Milestone Systems marks an exciting new chapter—together, we can scale that mission to a global level out of Europe. Milestone’s leadership in responsible video technology and their vision with Project Hafnia align perfectly with our own values."

"We’re proud that our anonymisation solutions will become a core pillar of a platform that’s set to redefine how compliant, high-quality video data is used to train AI. We’re ready to shape the future of visual AI—secure, ethical, and transformative,” Marian Gläser says.

Focus on responsible AI development

Milestone Systems is acquiring brighter AI and are thereby significantly contributing to strengthening European competition power and innovation. Europe must be pioneering in setting the right standards for global responsible technology.

By combining two European tech pioneers with a dedicated focus on responsible AI development, Milestone contributes to making Europe a pioneer in the global AI and tech landscape. brighter AI employs 24 people. who will continue their great work as part of a separate business area within Milestone.