Hikvision introduces Guanlan AI to “redefine” real-world security

AI has long been part of the security conversation, but for many organisations, the reality of delivery has fallen somewhat short of expectations. Systems generate alerts, identify objects and capture footage, yet often fail to deliver the clarity and efficiency that security teams demand.

Traditional video analytics rely on rule-based triggers such as motion detection or line crossing. While effective to a point, these systems often struggle to distinguish genuine threats from environmental ‘noise’ such as shadows, weather or animal movement.

Guanlan addresses this limitation by applying large-scale AI models designed specifically for AI-powered Internet of Things (AIoT) applications. Combining computer vision, language processing and multimodal analysis, the platform enables contextual understanding: assessing behaviour, relationships and intent within a scene.

The end result is a system that can filter out irrelevant activity with far greater accuracy. In real-world deployments, this has led to false alarm reductions of more than 90%, significantly reducing operator workload and improving response efficiency.

Faster investigations 

One of the most impactful capabilities within Guanlan is natural language video search, available through Hikvision’s AcuSeek NVRs.

Instead of manually reviewing hours of footage, operators can simply describe what they are looking for using everyday language. For example, searches such as ‘a person wearing a blue jacket and riding a bicycle’ or ‘a white van stopping near an entrance at night’ can quickly return relevant results.

This approach dramatically reduces investigation times from hours to a matter of minutes, while also lowering the technical barriers to system use. Security teams can access advanced analytics without requiring specialist training, thereby improving both productivity and accessibility.

Flexible deployment 

Security infrastructure varies widely between organisations. Guanlan has been designed with this in mind. Its three-tier architecture supports deployment at the edge (within cameras and NVRs), centrally (within servers and management platforms) or in hybrid configurations. This degree of flexibility allows organisations to tailor deployments based on operational needs, network capacity and data governance requirements.

Importantly, edge-based processing ensures that sensitive data can be analysed locally, without needing to be transferred to external cloud platforms. This supports compliance with UK General Data Protection Regulation requirements, while also improving system resilience and reducing latency.

Greater coverage 

Guanlan also delivers tangible benefits in terms of system design and cost efficiency. Advanced detection capabilities allow fixed cameras to monitor distances of up to 120 metres, while PTZ cameras can extend coverage to approximately 400 metres.

For large or otherwise complex sites, such as logistics hubs, campuses or critical infrastructure locations, this extended range can reduce the number of cameras required, simplifying installation and lowering infrastructure costs.

In addition, Guanlan can often be introduced without replacing existing camera estates. By deploying compatible NVRs, organisations can upgrade system intelligence, while in parallel protecting previous investment.

Beyond security 

While designed with security very much in mind, Guanlan’s capabilities also extend into broader operational use cases. In retail, hospitality and public-facing environments, the same intelligence can support applications such as people counting, queue monitoring and occupancy analysis.

This allows organisations to derive additional value from their video systems, using real-time insights to inform staffing decisions, improve customer experience and optimise site operations.

Built for the future 

Hikvision positions Guanlan not as a single product, but rather as an evolving AI platform. Ongoing development is focused on expanding sector-specific capabilities, refining language models and enhancing overall system efficiency.

As security requirements continue to grow in complexity, this adaptability will be key. Organisations need solutions that can scale, evolve and continue to deliver value over time, not just at the point of installation.

Redefining expectations of AI

Guanlan AI represents a clear step forward in the application of AI within the security sector. By shifting the focus from detection to understanding, this solution addresses many of the long-standing challenges associated with traditional video analytics.

For security professionals, the benefits are immediate: fewer false alarms, faster investigations and greater operational insight. For organisations, it offers a more efficient, scalable and future-ready approach to security.

In an industry under constant pressure to do more with less, Guanlan demonstrates how AI can deliver meaningful and measurable results.

*Further information is available online at www.hikvision.com/uk