Genetec, a global leader in enterprise physical security software, has highlighted the need for organisations in Saudi Arabia to focus on practical and responsible applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in physical security, as security teams manage growing volumes of video, alarms, sensor and incident data amid the Kingdom’s rapid infrastructure expansion.
AI is drawing greater attention across the physical security industry. In the 2026 Genetec State of Physical Security report, based on input from more than 7,300 security professionals worldwide, AI ranked alongside access control and video surveillance as a key priority for the year ahead. However, the research also found that 70% of end-user respondents are concerned about how AI systems are designed and implemented, underscoring the need for organisations to focus on trusted and measurable use cases rather than adopting AI for its own sake.
In Saudi Arabia, this is becoming increasingly relevant as organisations continue to invest in modern, connected security infrastructure. The Saudi Arabia findings from the 2026 State of Physical Security Report show that 43% of respondents reported increased physical security budgets in 2025, nearly double the EMEA average of 24%. The Kingdom also recorded the highest proportion of cloud-based physical security systems in EMEA, with 13% of respondents using cloud security systems compared to the EMEA average of 7%.
“AI has the potential to support security teams in meaningful ways, but its value depends on how responsibly and practically it is applied,” said Mohamad Saad, Country Manager – Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at Genetec.
