Will AI-powered Video Management Systems (VMS) evolve into fully autonomous platforms, or will they remain powerful tools augmenting human decision-making?
In a sector driven by speed, scrutiny, and split-second decision-making, artificial intelligence is poised to play an increasingly central role in the future of video surveillance.
But the question remains: Will AI-powered Video Management Systems (VMS) evolve into fully autonomous platforms, or will they remain powerful tools augmenting human decision-making?
Two of the industry’s leading voices, Florian Matusek, Director of AI Strategy and Managing Director of Genetec Vienna, and Rahul Yadav, Chief Technology Officer at Milestone Systems, see a future shaped by AI-human collaboration rather than AI-led automation.
Automation or augmentation?
Over the next decade, security operators and systems integrators will witness a surge of experiments integrating AI into VMS platforms, testing everything from automated threat detection to decision-making without human input. But according to Matusek, this does not mean complete automation should be the goal.
“In the coming years, we will see various experiments exploring how AI functionality can be integrated into VMS systems, including testing to see if they can be fully automated,” said Matusek. “However, we do not believe fully automated systems should be the goal.”
Instead, AI’s strength lies in its ability to reduce operator fatigue and highlight critical events that require human oversight. “AI has the potential to greatly enhance security operations, reducing the burden on operators so they can focus on what matters most,” Matusek said. “That said, for the foreseeable future, AI will not replace human judgment and creativity.”
This sentiment is echoed by Milestone’s Rahul Yadav, who envisions a hybrid future.
“The future of AI-powered video management software technologies lies in an evolved partnership between technology and human operators,” he said. “We’re moving toward intelligent platforms that automate complex workflows, but the human element remains irreplaceable for situations requiring judgment and nuanced decision-making.”
Redefining security workflows
For security centers around the world, the promise of AI lies in transforming the traditional command-and-control model into something more agile and intuitive.
“Security centers will transform into AI-augmented environments where human expertise focuses on high-level oversight,” Yadav explained. “Routine tasks will be largely automated, creating more efficient operations without sacrificing security effectiveness.”
Both experts emphasize that AI-powered VMS platforms must be built not as replacements, but as enhancements that amplify human capabilities. The aim is to help operators become “super-users” rather than passive viewers of multiple screens.
“AI systems should be designed to provide valuable insights, enabling operators to make informed decisions at the right time,” said Matusek. “AI should enhance users' capabilities, transforming regular users into super-users.”
Contextual understanding: the game changer
One of the biggest changes in AI-powered VMS is its ability to understand context. Traditional software requires explicit programming and rigid rules. In contrast, emerging AI models can interpret scenarios based on nuanced patterns, similar to human reasoning.
“Unlike conventional software needing explicit programming, these systems understand context and make nuanced decisions, adapting to new scenarios like human operators do,” said Yadav.
This evolution is especially crucial in high-stakes environments such as airports, schools, and public transportation hubs, where situational awareness must evolve in real time. AI can monitor hundreds of data streams simultaneously, something even the most experienced human operators struggle to do, then escalate only the most relevant alerts for human review.
For instance, an AI engine could recognize the difference between a person loitering suspiciously near a restricted area and a janitor going about their routine. This contextual filtering prevents false alarms and helps security teams prioritize their responses.
From surveillance to strategy
AI’s potential goes far beyond object detection and license plate recognition. Future-ready VMS platforms are becoming strategic decision-making tools, helping predict risks, allocate resources, and even manage facilities more effectively.
“With AI agents, the security is not just upgrading its technology, we are fundamentally changing how we approach security operations,” said Yadav.
By linking AI analytics with broader security ecosystems such as access control, perimeter defense, and emergency response, organizations can respond faster, smarter, and more cohesively. The convergence of data from multiple sources also supports forensic analysis, compliance audits, and business intelligence.
Matusek believes the transformation is about empowering the operator. “AI should enhance users' capabilities,” he reiterated. “Transforming regular users into super-users” enables frontline staff to do more with less, spotting patterns that may have previously gone unnoticed until after the fact.
Balancing promise with prudence
Despite the enthusiasm, both experts are cautious about overpromising. AI still requires well-labeled data, robust infrastructure, and continued oversight to function optimally. More importantly, human intuition, ethical reasoning, and empathy remain irreplaceable components of security.
“AI will not replace human judgment and creativity,” Matusek said. “Instead, AI systems should be designed to provide valuable insights.”
Yadav adds that while AI will handle more of the heavy lifting, the future belongs to those who know how to balance automation with human insight. “The future belongs to those who can effectively partner with AI while maintaining the human judgment and empathy that are crucial to true security.”
That balance may also help address public concerns about surveillance overreach and AI bias. By keeping humans in the loop, operators can verify AI decisions, audit system performance, and correct errors, ensuring that AI remains a trusted partner rather than an unchecked authority.
What it means for integrators
For systems integrators and consultants, these insights underscore a major shift in project scope and client expectations.
No longer limited to installing cameras and configuring networks, integrators are now expected to deliver intelligent ecosystems capable of evolving over time. This requires a deeper understanding of AI technologies, data privacy laws, and the human factors that influence adoption.
Solutions that once ended at video storage must now integrate seamlessly with access control, intrusion detection, and enterprise management platforms. And as Matusek and Yadav suggest, the operator experience is paramount: If the end-user does not feel empowered by the technology, the AI simply will not deliver on its promise.
As such, integrators must ensure that the systems they deploy can evolve alongside the AI models they rely on. This includes future-proofing infrastructure, training personnel, and choosing vendors with a long-term vision for human-centric AI development.
The road ahead
The rise of AI-powered VMS is not about replacing people, but about reimagining what they can achieve. As Matusek notes, “AI should enhance users' capabilities.” And for Yadav, “we're fundamentally changing how we approach security operations.”
What emerges is a clearer vision of the future, where AI and human expertise are not in competition but in collaboration. In this new model, AI handles the complexity; humans provide the judgment. Together, they create a smarter, more responsive approach to security that is not only more efficient but also more humane.
For now, the goal is not full autonomy. It is intelligent assistance — AI that sees what humans might miss, and humans who can act with clarity, nuance, and empathy. The next chapter of video surveillance is not about replacing the operator, it is about empowering them.