The Future of Decision Making in Security

Artificial intelligence has become the buzzword for innovation in the security industry, and it is now integrated into many solutions. The reception to AI has been mixed; some people excitedly embrace new applications, while others are more cautious. Before evaluating whether to implement this new technology, it’s essential to emphasize one point: AI is not here to replace human intelligence – it’s here to enhance it.

The most effective security operations aren’t built on algorithms alone – they’re powered by the collaboration between smart software and skilled professionals. When AI and human expertise work hand in hand, organizations gain better insights, yield faster response times, and build a more resilient approach to security and risk management.

The Practical Power of AI

What does AI bring to the table? The short answer is automation and efficiency. Artificial intelligence can process vast amounts of data almost instantly. It can monitor thousands of data streams, detect anomalies and flag unusual behavior far faster than any person could. This makes AI an incredibly valuable tool for routine tasks that are time-consuming, repetitive, or prone to human error, such as identifying motion in low-traffic areas or verifying whether a camera is blocked or offline.

However, AI has limitations. Algorithms lack intuition, empathy and the nuanced understanding that comes from real-world experience. AI, at its core, is a powerful pattern recognition tool. It can detect that something is different, but it might not be able to identify why that matters. A human operator, on the other hand, can place the difference in context, like recognizing whether a motion alert is cause for concern or simply an employee working late. AI and humans have a complementary (not a competitive) relationship in security. AI is deployed for scale and speed, and people provide the judgment and strategy.

AI Driving With Human Steering

The most impactful AI systems today are designed with humans in the loop. This means AI doesn’t make decisions in isolation. Instead, it filters and presents relevant information, allowing human operators to validate findings, investigate anomalies and make high-level decisions based on a rich data set.

Take, for example, a security system health monitoring solution. If a camera is tampered with and shows tilt or blur, AI can flag this instantly. At the same time, it can detect an offline speaker at the other end of the building. Enter the human technician. They decide which area to prioritize and how to respond. This division of labor allows teams to operate more efficiently, focusing their time and attention where it’s most needed.

The future of security isn’t one in which robots and drones take over. Instead, we should picture machines and humans working in tandem. AI handles large data sets, and people provide the context. AI flags anomalies, and people decide what to do. This partnership drives smarter, more proactive security because the future involves technology supporting human judgment – not replacing it.

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.

This article originally appeared in All Things AI, a newsletter presented by the SIA AI Advisory Board.