The use of Artificial Intelligence in Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) is a growing trend. AI can analyse video footage and distinguish between true and false alarms, and carry out many other tasks with superior speed compared to a human operator – and whilst these systems are not 100% accurate yet, they are learning and improving all the time. They are also cheaper than employing staff.  

The adoption of this technology raises several questions. To what extent will automation replace human interaction in ARCs? And will AI be able to provide the same level of accuracy as a human operator? This article explores the impact of AI in alarm monitoring and what we may expect in the near future.

How is AI Being Used in Alarm Monitoring?

AI is being used in alarms monitoring software in a variety of ways, from automating the response to alarm activations to detecting false alarms. AI-driven systems are able to analyse data from sensors, cameras, and other security devices in order to determine if a real threat is present. If there is a threat, the appropriate personnel are automatically alerted so they can take the required action.

The AI functionality can be embedded on servers (on-premise or through the cloud) or within the cameras themselves thanks to edge computing.

False Alarm Detection

False alarms are weeded out by AI-enabled systems, helping save resources. The programmes learn what activity is normal or abnormal and adjust their response accordingly. 

For example, suppose an alarm signal is triggered by a passing bird or branches moving in the wind; after an operator cancels the alert several times, the system will stop sending alerts for this motion due to the feedback (i.e., the alert being cancelled). This automatic learning means systems can continually improve through everyday use without the need to be reprogrammed.

AI-Enabled Video Analytics 

Video analytics was first used in the security industry to help make up for the fact that humans cannot pay attention for hours on end without getting distracted. Also unlike humans, their perception and observational skills will not become less sharp as tiredness sets in.

This technology was first able to detect and classify objects appearing on camera, as mentioned above. This includes detecting items being left behind such as suspicious packages, distinguishing them from the objects that are expected to be present within its field of vision.

The capabilities of this technology have advanced, enabling the detection of more complex actions such as:

• Loitering
• Running
• Someone crossing a boundary from the wrong direction
• Attempts to tamper with cameras or block their view

Other interesting applications include police officers wearing AI-enabled cameras that help them better identify items or individuals of significance, and smart retail checkouts which can recognise whether a customer is trying to pack items without scanning them.

Smart City Surveillance

It’s not only video surveillance to which AI applies; combining intelligent algorithms with the IoT provides a robust foundation for smart city surveillance. AI assists the monitoring of sensor feeds by detecting anomalies and incidents – and distinguishing between them so that alerts are only sent when a true incident occurs.

We are the leading provider of IoT-enabled monitoring solutions. Find out more here about how we can help you monitor everything from recycling bins to sea ports.

The Future of AI in Alarm Monitoring

As AI technology advances, it will be able to provide more specific insights by analysing human behaviour to determine whether it poses a threat or not. It will go far beyond the use-cases mentioned previously and will be able to infer more information about their actions and pass that assessment on to personnel. It may even be able to predict incidents, which would allow for greater preparedness than ever before.

Although AI-driven systems can detect potential threats more quickly than a human operator, they are not infallible and can make mistakes. This can lead to delayed or incorrect responses, which can have devastating consequences. 

With that said, the number of errors are decreasing all the time. Will there ever be a truly perfect system in terms of accuracy? Is it worth the risk of missing even one incident – and the lives that may be at risk as a result? One could argue that since human operators are not 100% accurate either, it will ultimately make no difference statistically.  

Whilst the technology is not yet accurate enough to completely replace human agents, it is advancing all the time and reducing costs are making it more accessible. Therefore, it’s not hard to believe that the full automation of Alarm Receiving Centres could be on our doorsteps in the years to come. 

We may never have believed that the printing press nor the internet were possible, but now they are well-established in our societies, saving us time and making life easier. There’s no reason to expect that AI will have less of a transformative impact that these previous innovations. 

What is more likely that humans being completely replaced by AI in alarm monitoring – at least for the near future – is that ARCs will employ a small number of people to provide oversight of the security system, leaving the AI to do the heavy lifting.  

Summary

AI-driven systems are becoming increasingly common in Alarm Receiving Centres, and they have the potential to greatly improve the accuracy and efficiency of alarm response. They can detect potential threats more quickly than a human operator, reduce false alarms, and automatically notify the required personnel when a response is required.

AI-enabled video analytics is able to interpret more complex actions than when it was first introduced and these capabilities are expected to advance. One day, they may even be able to predict intrusions and other incidents.

However, these systems are not yet accurate enough to completely replace humans. The more likely scenario is that a proportion of employees will be replaced and those remaining will provide oversight.

So, will AI completely take over in ARCs? Perhaps one day – but not yet.

GeminiSense is Europe’s leading provider of incident monitoring solutions, providing high-profile security organisations, healthcare facilities, airports, councils, and many other types of facilities with state-of-the-art monitoring software, including lone worker protection and monitoring via NB-IoT.

 Contact us today to discover how we can help your organisation provide the most robust safety and security procedures.