SIA New Member Profile: AiDANT Intelligent Technology

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member AiDANT Intelligent Technology is a computer vision software company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI).

The company is headquartered in Richmond, Canada.   

SIA spoke with Roger Milford, CEO of AiDANT Intelligent Technology, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

Roger Milford: Founded in 2018, AiDANT Intelligent Technology initially aimed to combat repeat shoplifting through facial recognition; however, concerns about privacy and legality prompted a shift to a more secure solution. We pivoted to develop a system that operates directly on the camera, eliminating the need for personal data collection, databases and reducing vulnerability to hacks. Our partnership with Axis DLPU cameras enabled this transformation.

We now specialize in real-time behavior and object recognition, addressing complex computer vision challenges by analyzing video feeds directly within the camera. This approach ensures that video streams remain on-site, with only pertinent notifications being sent out, and installations are swift and straightforward – no costly servers required.

We offer our solutions as a software as a service through integrators and distributors, who benefit from high margins and recurring revenue while keeping costs low, as our technology relies solely on cameras.

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings or your company unique?

RM: We provide cutting-edge applications that operate directly within security cameras, offering advanced monitoring capabilities for a range of scenarios including person and vehicle intrusion, loitering, occupancy, queue management and falls. Our unique AiDANT Markers solution goes further, enabling detection of art theft, doors left ajar, flooding, blocked exits, vehicle monitoring, security guard assistance, silent alarms, camera tampering and much more.

What sets us apart is our exceptional accuracy and minimal false positives. In computer vision, precision is essential, but it’s equally important to minimize false alarms, which can undermine system reliability and lead to alert fatigue. Our intelligent applications are designed to not only perform their intended tasks with precision, but also avoid generating irrelevant or incorrect alerts.

Introducing the AiDANT Entropy Filter – a revolutionary advancement in computer vision technology. This proprietary algorithmic processing layer is integrated seamlessly into AiDANT’s advanced vision pipeline, meticulously assessing AI-generated results for accuracy. Developed by experts with extensive experience in image processing and medical imaging, the AiDANT Entropy Filter ensures unmatched precision and reliability by significantly reducing false alarms. Unlike traditional AI analytics methods that rely on expensive human verification in centralized review centers, our solution maintains robust data security by keeping all operations on-premises. This approach prevents video data from leaving your facility, effectively mitigating significant cybersecurity risks.

What’s something we might not know about your company – or something new you’re doing in security?

RM: We develop our own artificial intelligence datasets, ensuring that all data used is authorized and ethically sourced – never scraped from platforms like YouTube. Given the unique characteristics of security cameras, such as mounting height and view angles, our AI models are specifically trained to address these factors.

All data creation and data science processes are handled in house by our expert team. This meticulous approach has allowed us to achieve exceptional accuracy in our solutions, earning recognition and praise from industry leaders.

What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?

RM: Our mission is to establish AiDANT as the premier AI behavioral recognition company in the industry. To achieve this, we have assembled a team of top-tier artificial intelligence experts and visionary entrepreneurs who are united by their passion, vision and expertise.

We aim to deliver solutions that are both highly effective and seamlessly integrated into their environments – present when needed, yet discreet and unobtrusive at all other times.

What do you think are the biggest opportunities in the security industry right now?

RM: The most significant opportunity today lies in automating the mundane and ineffective aspects of security monitoring. Currently, many security monitoring centers operate 24/7, with personnel constantly observing camera feeds where little to nothing occurs. By triggering alarms only when actual events are detected, we can significantly reduce the need for continuous human oversight. This approach allows cameras to be displayed only when necessary, dramatically cutting monitoring costs and improving overall efficiency.

What are your predictions for the security industry in the short and long term?

RM: Currently, there’s a gold rush in the field of AI, with numerous companies rushing to offer solutions amidst a surge of hype. This overwhelming influx of claims can be misleading. We advise testing products firsthand rather than relying on “vaporware” – those overhyped solutions that promise magical results but often fall short. Hands-on evaluation ensures that you choose solutions that truly meet your needs and deliver on their promises.

What are the biggest challenges facing your company and/or others in the security industry?

RM: The industry is still in its early stages, and many have adopted a cautious “wait and see” approach after being let down by companies offering “AI wrappers” – superficial layers of AI that make grand promises but often fail to deliver. As a result, the market has been somewhat limited to early adopter; however, this landscape is shifting quickly as genuine AI companies demonstrate real returns on investment through cost reductions and increased revenues.

What do you enjoy most about being at your company – and in the security industry?

RM: At AiDANT, our greatest satisfaction comes from leveraging cutting-edge tools to develop groundbreaking solutions in the security technology industry. What we enjoy most is hearing from customers about how our innovations address their challenges. For instance, some bank branches previously had to close their ATM vestibules at night due to security concerns. Thanks to our solutions, these doors can now remain open, enhancing both security and convenience for their customers.

What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership with SIA?

RM: SIA is an invaluable resource for staying current with security standards. The exchange of information among members is crucial for thriving in today’s interconnected world. We look forward to learning from industry veterans and adding our own contributions to the global community.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.