How AI Is Making Smart Homes More Secure

As the smart home market continues to skyrocket, it's no surprise that smart home automations are thriving, with nearly half of millennials already having purchased a smart home device. Alongside automations, smart device adoption is also increasing, largely due to the benefits drawn from integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Ahead, we’ll explore how AI integrations in smart home technology can improve security features, as well as some of the concerns security integrators need to keep in mind

How AI Integrations Work

To be sure, there are a wide variety of smart home automations already available in the market. It can be challenging for integrators to understand the true end-user benefits from device integrations. Users can now control smart home functions via an all-in-one app, but that control is elevated with the addition of AI, which enables users to also program customizable routines via their apps. With just a few clicks, users can control and automate routines for everything from motorized window coverings, fire safety, door locks, thermostats, lights and security systems.

One of the ways AI integrations enable automation is through programming scenes. These scenes execute automatically when the system detects that occupants are either away or have returned home. For example, home occupants could program their AI smart home device to automatically lower shades when they leave the home, or to adjust the lights and thermostats depending on different lighting and temperature conditions. AI-powered smart cameras improve property surveillance by adjusting the lighting of video footage in real-time during dusk or at night so occupants can better monitor the outdoors even in poor lighting conditions.

When considering whether to install video security cameras inside elevators, or doorbell cameras, security integrators should opt for devices that incorporate AI for enhanced security and user experiences.

Benefits of AI in Smart Home Security Devices

Generative AI offers a range of features and benefits that enable smart home devices to become even smarter, particularly with regards to security devices. For example, AI for home security systems include object detection, useful for identifying elements captured in security videos, such as people, animals, packages or vehicles. AI can also be used for facial recognition to discern between friends, family, employees and strangers. Security devices with AI integrations are popular for security-minded individuals and businesses.

But security integrators will see multiple benefits to employing AI-powered assistants that leverage large language models (LLM) for troubleshooting. AI technology quickly examines a company’s knowledge base, no matter how large it is, and distills large amounts of information to offer installation process advice to service personnel. The speed at which AI processes large quantities of data makes this technology an invaluable tool for answering questions on the go and troubleshooting.

Voice control has also become increasingly popular in the mass market, with 50 percent of adults globally using voice search. Voice search isn’t just used with devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but also with AI technology that is purpose built for smart home experiences. Voice recognition and activation is another much-requested feature alongside voice assistants that security integrators can consider offering to property owners.

AI’s Ongoing Learning Abilities

AI technology can be a powerful educational tool for security integrators. AI-enabled systems have the ability to learn over time, which can be beneficial for training security teams. When connected to a company’s knowledge base, AI can be trained on existing installation and product guides to summarize information for more effective training. Additionally, AI can be used to break down complex topics into easily understandable language that helps learners absorb information more quickly.

When integrated into surveillance devices, AI can learn from past security data it has scanned to detect anomalies faster and more accurately. The more data AI absorbs, the more it learns, leading to faster alerts and smarter notifications to identify incongruent persons or actions. 

AI-powered video surveillance has already helped reduce thefts and shoplifting in Arizona stores by 30 percent-46 percent. The stores’ AI security cameras examine the body posture and movements of shoppers for suspicious behavior. The AI then informs the owners via an app, usually within just 15 seconds of detection. Many AI-enabled security devices are accompanied by an app that triggers an alert and sends an instant notification to the property owner, manager or security team.

Intersection of AI and IoT Security Devices

Alongside AI, open-source protocols such as Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave, have created better opportunities for integration between the Internet of Things (IoT) and security devices. These protocols enable interoperability for smart home ecosystems to ensure improved user experiences and better security. Essentially, by integrating devices with these protocols and connecting them via Wi-Fi, multiple devices from different manufacturers can “speak” to each other and be controlled by one voice assistant. 

The connectivity standards offered by Matter and Zigbee are currently considered the most user-friendly and have become the go-to protocols for smart home devices.

However, IoT home security devices or doorbell cameras do not support Matter or Zigbee, but it will not be long before these integrations become commonplace. As these advanced solutions come into the market, it will be important for security integrators to understand how interoperability solutions connect to smart home ecosystems and maintain high standards of property security for residents.

Key Considerations: AI and Data Security 

Alongside the numerous benefits that AI and the Internet of Things offer security integrators, they also include several security measures for better efficiency. Users are encouraged to update the software of IoT devices regularly to prevent attacks from hackers. Malware attacks and password cracking are two common attack methods, but devices can be secured through strong passwords. Disabling app permissions and using two-factor authentication can ensure bad actors aren’t able to spoof IoT devices or intercept communications between devices, thus keeping private information or company data safe.

The human element is still required for security integrators choosing AI technology. As AI and machine learning evolves, some of the present issues, such as AI hallucinations–where AI presents incorrect information as fact–will dissipate.

Security integrators must be aware of ways to mitigate vulnerabilities in IoT and AI-powered security devices. The National Cyber Security Centre of the U.K. has outlined factors that organizations can consider when choosing AI systems.

Optimizing Security Integrations With AI

AI has many critical applications for security devices. With the power of large language models enabling devices to learn on an ongoing basis, smart security devices can become even smarter and promise more security for homes and commercial properties. The addition of interoperable solutions will make smart home ecosystems more user-friendly and property monitoring more seamless.

But Generative AI technology is still in its infancy. It’s important for security integrators to opt for manufacturers that have a clear understanding of the security and privacy features that AI systems include, to ensure fewer data breaches and better control of smart homes.