IRVING, Texas – The Electronic Security Association (ESA) has announced the formation of its AI Readiness Council (ARC), a “forward-thinking initiative designed to help the electronic security and life safety industry navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in a responsible, practical and profitable way.”
Priya Serai, chief information officer at Zeus Fire and Security, will lead the council as its chairperson, bringing “deep expertise and strategic vision to this groundbreaking effort,” according to the ESA announcement.
Serving alongside Serai as vice chairman will be Matt Carlson, controller & accounting manager with Doyle Security, “ensuring the Council’s work remains rooted in the real-world needs of security professionals,” the announcement says.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming the security industry on multiple fronts,” according to the ESA announcement. “It is redefining how systems are designed, sold, and maintained through innovations like predictive analytics, intelligent video and biometric access control.
“At the same time, AI is reshaping the way security companies run their businesses. From marketing and sales automation to streamlined scheduling, installations, service and billing, AI is becoming a powerful tool for improving efficiency and profitability,” the announcement says.
“With these opportunities come new challenges, including governance, compliance and ethical considerations, according to the ESA announcement. “Without clear guidance, companies risk falling behind or making misinformed decisions. ESA created ARC to ensure members stay ahead of this transformation.”
“ARC gives our members a way to lead, not just react, as AI reshapes the security landscape,” says Kevin Stone, ESA chairman of the board and chief operating officer at Doyle Security, in the ESA announcement. “This council is about real-world solutions that help integrators and business owners adopt AI with confidence and clarity.”
Why ESA Launched the AI Readiness Council
The ESA AI Readiness Council will focus on four core areas:
- AI in Action: Highlighting real-world use cases in video surveillance, fire detection, intrusion systems, and central station monitoring.
- Ethics and Governance: Building frameworks to address bias, manage risk, and meet compliance standards.
- Standards and Best Practices: Developing operational and technical guidance for safe, scalable AI integration.
- Education, Workforce Readiness and Business Optimization: Delivering training content and pathways that build AI literacy, with a special emphasis on how AI can streamline marketing, sales, operations, installation, and billing for security companies.
“ARC is here to separate signal from noise,” says Serai in the ESA announcement. “We want to help companies make informed decisions and understand the long-term impact of AI in our industry.”
ESA is now seeking volunteers to serve on its AI Readiness Council. Council members “will contribute to webinars, toolkits, white papers and working groups focused on shaping the future of AI in the security space,” according to the ESA announcement.
Industry professionals with a passion for innovation and leadership are encouraged to volunteer.