As we move into 2026, Milestone’s acting Chief Technology Officer Andrew Burnett predicts the technology trends that will define the year While several technology trends were once mostly confined to research labs and conference keynotes, they are now stepping into the daily reality of the security industry. What is new today is not the idea of AI itself, but the emergence of Agentic AI – intelligent systems capable of taking autonomous actions across operational workflows. Rather than asking what they might one day do, we are now seeing what they actually do in the field. In 2026, three technologies will particularly drive this transformation – Agentic AI, Digital Twins and Wearables with Augmented Reality (AR). Each represents an evolution not just in capability, but a step toward fully intelligent, interconnected and immersive security ecosystems. Agentic AI – From Hype-Cycle to Operational Workflows Agentic AI, first notable for its capabilities in areas like code generation, is now expanding beyond coding to orchestrate operational workflows across security systems. The shift for 2026 is from capability demonstrations to task-focused agents embedded in operational flows. Rather than one-off proof of concept we are seeing agents that orchestrate across systems – they ingest video, correlate access logs, detect deviations and then trigger follow-up actions – all without a human translating between disparate interfaces. Practical examples include autonomous investigation agents that not only take an alarm, gather the last 30 minutes of multimodal evidence (video, access, sensor telemetry) but also propose and initiate immediate mitigation action for an operator to approve. The value is twofold – speed (reducing mean time to insight) and bandwidth (freeing operators to focus on decisions, not data-gathering). This momentum is mirrored in global investment patterns. According to recent industry projections, Agentic AI is set to dominate IT budget expansion over the next five years, representing more than 26% of worldwide IT spending and surpassing US$1.3 trillion by 2029. This reflects a decisive shift: organisations are no longer experimenting with AI for select projects – they are operationalising it at scale. Organisations should stop asking ‘what might agentic AI do’ and start identifying the repeatable security workflows they want automated; for example: incident triage, patrol optimisation, evidence packaging; then measure agent performance against those KPIs. The winners in 2026 will be platforms that expose safe, auditable agent APIs and vendors who integrate them into end-to-end operational playbooks. Digital Twins – Moving from Models to Mission-Critical Decisions Digital twins – the highly sophisticated virtual models that stay synchronised with real-world systems – are also reaching a point of true practicality. The concept is not new. For years, industries like manufacturing and logistics have used digital twins to monitor assets and environments. What’s new is the granularity and scale now possible in security. Organisations such as NVIDIA are utilising digital twins for data centres, integrating cameras, fire alarms, access control and environmental sensors to create a unified, real-time view of operations. Instead of static replicas, we are talking about interactive environments where you can safely test and optimise system behaviour. The value of digital twins goes beyond visualisation and simulation, empowering organisations to monitor, optimise and actively manage the desired state of multiple subsystems in real-time. Imagine running a virtual fire-drill scenario that shows pedestrian flow if a corridor is blocked, or simulating lockout strategies to maintain egress while containing a threat. These are not academic exercises – they directly inform SOPs, layout choices and where to place resilient communications or edge compute. For complex estates (airports, ports, multi-tenant high-rises) a unified digital twin reduces configuration drift, accelerates forensic reconstruction and enables predictive maintenance for critical devices. Looking ahead, the widespread adoption of digital twins is poised to reshape the security industry’s approach to risk management and operational planning. With a unified, real-time view of complex environments, digital twins enable proactive decision-making, allowing security teams to anticipate threats, optimise resource allocation and continuously refine standard operating procedures. Over time, this capability will shift the industry from reactive incident response to predictive and preventative security strategies, where investment in training, infrastructure and technology is guided through simulated outcomes rather than historical events. From Gadgets to Game-Changers: Wearables + AR in Action AR and wearables have had turbulent history, but their resurgence in 2026 will be different – and AI is the reason. AI transforms wearables from simple capture devices into intelligent companions. It elevates AR from a visual overlay to a real-time, context-aware guidance layer. They shift frontline tools from passive to proactive devices that see, listen, interpret the environment, delivering timely insights and support through voice, visual or hybrid interfaces. The momentum behind AR is also reflected in the market. Globally, the AR sector is projected to surge from US$35.8 billion in 2024 to US$233.3 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 37%. Today, software and services account for the vast majority of AR revenue, highlighting that enterprises are increasingly leveraging AR for operational applications such as training, remote assistance, simulation and real-time decision support. Crucially, these systems speak natural language. A guard can ask, “When was this area last patrolled?” and receive concise, evidence-backed answers or ask the system to replay the last suspicious approach and mark it for later review. This moves wearables from passive recorders to active decision-support tools, increasing situational awareness while keeping hands and attention free. While widespread adoption may still be a few years away, the trajectory is clear. The future of security work will be increasingly wearable – through smart glasses, headsets or other wrist-mounted devices – and powered by conversational, intelligent systems that deliver insights and decision support in real-time. Conclusion – integrate, simulate, augment Across these trends the theme is consistent: AI is the enabler that makes previously hyped technologies operationally useful. For CISOs, facility heads and operations leaders, the practical playbook for 2026 is simple and strategic: prioritise integration (open, auditable APIs), exploring simulation capabilities (digital twins that map to SOPs), and pilot wearable augmentation where it reduces time-to-decision. Success is…

The evolution of AI technology, driven by Generative AI, has accelerated at an unprecedented pace. This year, in particular, its impact has been maximized, shifting paradigms across various industries. This spark of innovation is now extending into the video surveillance sector. Hanwha Vision predicts that 2026 will be a pivotal turning point. We foresee AI moving beyond simple adoption to becoming the essential foundation of the entire industry. Most notably, the emergence of ‘Autonomous AI Agents’ is expected to reshape the very structure and operational methods of video surveillance systems. Amidst these waves of change, Hanwha Vision highlights five key trends that the industry must focus on. These trends signal a future where AI serves as the core engine, elevating video surveillance from simple monitoring systems to central pillars of operational efficiency and sustainability. Trustworthy AI: Data Quality and Responsible Use As AI analysis technology becomes ubiquitous, the principle of ‘Garbage In, Garbage Out’ becomes increasingly critical in video surveillance. Visual noise and distortion caused by challenging environments – such as low light, backlighting, or fog – are primary causes of AI malfunction and false alarms. By 2026, establishing a ‘Trusted Data Environment’ to solve these issues will become the industry’s top priority. With the performance of AI analysis engines leveling up across the board, the focus of investment is shifting toward securing high-quality video data that AI can interpret without error. A prime example is the investment in minimizing noise and distortion in extreme environments through AI-based high-performance ISP (Image Signal Processing) technology and the use of larger sensors. AI-based ISP employs deep learning to differentiate between objects and noise, effectively eliminating noise while optimizing object details to provide real-time data most conducive to AI analysis. Larger image sensors capture more light, which fundamentally suppresses video noise generation, starting from low-light conditions. Hanwha Vision’s 2nd Generation P series AI Cameras feature a Dual NPU design, the Wisenet 9 chipset with AI-based image enhancement, and a large 1/1.2” sensor, guaranteeing crystal-clear images optimized for AI analysis even in the harshest environments. In parallel, as the ethical use of AI becomes a major concern, the mandatory adoption of AI governance systems is approaching. Global standards, such as the European Union’s AI Act, classify video surveillance AI used in public safety as High-Risk technology. This imposes a legal obligation on manufacturers to ensure Transparency in AI from the design phase, accelerating the industry’s push to build genuinely trustworthy AI. Furthermore, Hanwha Vision plans to upgrade its WiseAI app leveraging its capabilities in trusted data acquisition. Specifically, we will add an Auto Calibration feature that determines the distance information of a scene to enhance data reliability, and new AI event features to analyze abnormal behaviors like fighting and falling will be included in the 2026 product releases. The AI Agent Partnership, From Tool to Teammate As AI evolves from simple detection to an agent capable of analyzing complex scenarios and proposing initial responses, the role of the monitoring operator is set for a fundamental overhaul. Humans will delegate repetitive surveillance tasks to AI Agents and focus on more critical, high-level functions. While previous AI systems in video surveillance merely reduced the operator’s workload by automating repetitive tasks like object search, tracking, and alarm generation, the AI Agent takes this a step further. It autonomously conducts complex situational analysis, automatically executes an initial response, and recommends the most effective follow-up actions to the monitoring operator. For example, an AI Agent can independently assess an intrusion, initiate preliminary steps such as sounding an alarm, and then propose the final decision options (e.g., whether to call the police) to the operator. Simultaneously, it automatically generates a comprehensive report detailing real-time video of the intrusion area, access records, a log of the AI’s initial actions, and suggested optimal response strategies. The evolution of AI technology, driven by Generative AI, has accelerated at an unprecedented pace. This year, in particular, its impact has been maximized, shifting paradigms across various industries. This spark of innovation is now extending into the video surveillance sector Consequently, monitoring operators will transition into the role of commanders, making final decisions that require nuanced judgment, complex analysis, and consideration of legal and contextual implications. They will also take on the role of an AI governance manager, transparently tracking and supervising all autonomous actions and reasoning processes executed by the AI Agent. This essential function, which prevents system misuse, demands a significant elevation of the monitoring operator’s skill set. Driving Sustainable Security The explosive growth of generative AI is accelerating a ‘Technological Energy Crisis.’ According to IEA reports, power consumption by data centers is projected to more than double by 2030 due to the rising demand for AI servers. The video surveillance industry is at a crossroads where it can no longer prioritize performance without limit, facing the dual challenge of surging high-resolution video data and the computational burden of Edge AI. Consequently, Sustainable Security, which prioritizes operational longevity and minimizing environmental costs, is set to become a core competency for achieving TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) reductions and meeting ESG goals. To realize sustainable security, the industry is commonly moving towards developing ‘low-power AI chipsets’ that drastically reduce power consumption while preserving high-quality imaging and AI processing power. It is also prioritizing technologies that ensure data efficiency directly on the edge device (camera). For instance, Hanwha Vision‘s AI-based WiseStream technology maximizes video data management efficiency, contributing to lower power consumption. It intelligently separates regions of interest from non-interest within the video and adjusts the compression ratio based on importance. This maximizes traffic efficiency while securely retaining all necessary information. Furthermore, cameras equipped with Wisenet 9 have improved baseline data transmission efficiency by reusing images from static regions. These intelligent data management strategies simultaneously meet both performance and efficiency demands and are regarded as the most effective means to directly reduce the power consumption required for server expansion and cooling systems. Smart Spaces Powered by Video Intelligence With AI integrated into cameras and advances…

Lt Gen Sudhir SharmaPVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSMChairman, MitKat Advisory The turbulent geopolitical landscape of 2025 marked a discernible shift in India’s external security environment. The shadows of the events of the past year will have a telling effect on the risks and opportunities that will shape the trends for 2026. A fragmented global order, persistent conflicts in Europe and West Asia, intensified big power rivalry in the Indo Pacific, weaponisation of trade and controlled access to high technology have squeezed out much of the strategic space, giving rise to volatility and ambiguity, which impinges on India’s desire for strategic autonomy. As we enter 2026, we are no longer navigating a familiar world of stable alliances but a fragmented world order where national sovereignty and economic security are fluid and transactional. For business leaders this represents a dynamic shift from managing ‘growth’ to managing systemic disruptions and contending with hyper-nationalism. On India’s Western front, the short but intense conflict with Pakistan in 2025 has driven relations to their lowest point in decades. Terrorism remains a top risk, and deterrence is fragile. The tense standoff could escalate into skirmishes or a larger confrontation, requiring a recalibration of India’s security architecture. Concurrently the Eastern Sector bordering Bangladesh presents its own set of diverse security challenges. Relations with Bangladesh shifted sharply in 2025, driven by political instability, consequent to the ouster of the Awani League. The widening trust deficit and the overheated internal situation in Bangladesh poses a significant threat to Indian Interests. The forthcoming elections (if held fairly and objectively) will be a litmus test for the internal stability of Bangladesh. Pre and post poll violence are most likely and may have a ripple effect in India. Relations between the countries will continue to be strained and tense in 2026, seriously impacting transit and business growth. On a positive note, the relations with China remained comparatively stable and have shown limited but notable improvement in 2025, and the thaw is likely to continue in 2026, giving rise to business opportunities and some synergy in approach to global issues. The resumption of direct flights and an easier visa regime could provide the momentum for business growth and tourism. Though trust deficit remains high, it is likely that India’s relations with China may mature to one of cautious but competitive coexistence. This would require sustained confidence building measures from both sides. India-United States relations will remain a central pillar of India’s external engagement in 2026, though it will be marked by greater complexity and some irritants. Strategic convergence in defence, technology and the Indo-Pacific is expected to continue, despite the tariff related concerns and frictions. QUAD is expected to strengthen, with a sharper technological and security focus. Simultaneously, India will deepen engagement with BRICS and the Global South, balancing strategic autonomy with diplomatic flexibility – a critical tightrope in a fractured world. Internally the risks confronting India in the coming year will be shaped by the interplay of political polarisation, governance pressures and socio-economic disparities. Left-wing extremism is waning and may be eliminated by 2026, bolstering internal security. However, high-stake state elections could trigger unrest and stress governance systems. Despite external fragility, India enters 2026 with strong economic fundamentals, infrastructure upgrades, and a growing role in global manufacturing and technology ecosystems. Realignment of global supply chains offers opportunities India is well-positioned to seize. Structural reforms in the nuclear energy sector will give a boost to India’s energy mix and improve the overall energy-security paradigm. As we look ahead, 2026 is likely to be a year of continued external fragility, yet a resilient internal security framework, coupled with a buoyant macro-economic outlook. India can look forward to a period of sustained growth and stability, overcoming moderate internal challenges and governance pressures. Advances in AI, semiconductors, and manufacturing will further propel growth. India will need great acumen in navigating an increasingly polarised world order, while maintaining its strategic autonomy, and safeguarding its national interests. The year 2025 for India was characterized by acute security shocks, tightening geoeconomic headwinds, and mounting climate and public-health pressures even as the country deepened strategic partnerships, consolidated its role as a regional corporate and digital hub, and pressed ahead with institutional reforms. A multi-domain crisis with Pakistan, persistent maritime insecurity, resurgent piracy, Red Sea cable disruptions, and a sharp U.S. tariff shock underscored a risk environment in which episodic external triggers rapidly translate into domestic operational disruption. Domestically, intensified communal polarization, sector-wide labour actions, reservation mobilizations, and urban infrastructure fragility combined with scaled AI-enabled cyber-fraud to raise the baseline of day-to-day risk for businesses and communities. Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook is one of cautious resilience – external ties will be marked by strategic convergence with the United States amid trade and mobility frictions, managed competition with China, and fragile deterrence with Pakistan; internally, policy continuity will persist alongside execution gaps, uneven state-level governance, and climate-driven stress on assets and services. As we enter 2026, we are no longer navigating a familiar world of stable alliances but a fragmented world order where national sovereignty and economic security are fluid and transactional. For business leaders this represents a dynamic shift from managing ‘growth’ to managing systemic disruptions and contending with hyper-nationalism Geopolitically, India-China relations exhibited cautious stabilization. Corps Commander dialogue continued, high-level political contacts resumed, and direct commercial flights were reinstated after five years, reducing immediate confrontation risk along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Yet structural constraints – including PLA consolidation in Tibet, new hydropower activity on the Yarlung Tsangpo, and recurring cyber and financial-security frictions – kept the relationship within a framework of tactical engagement embedded in strategic competition. With limited verifiable disengagement on the ground, ties in 2026 are likely to remain managed rather than normalized. By contrast, India-Pakistan relations entered their most volatile phase since 2019. The April Pahalgam massacre in Jammu & Kashmir precipitated Operation Sindoor – targeted Indian missile and air strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) – followed by intensified Line of…