In the race to build smarter, safer, and more efficient urban environments, cloud video surveillance and artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly redefining how cities operate. At the forefront of this transformation is Ali Shafaqat, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Smarttive, a forward-thinking tech company dedicated to developing next-generation surveillance solutions. In an exclusive interview, Shafaqat shares his insights on how cloud-based infrastructure, AI, and real-time analytics are reshaping the future of urban living.
The Shift Toward Smart Surveillance
Traditional video surveillance systems, often isolated and hardware-bound, are being replaced with scalable cloud-native solutions that offer flexibility, security, and remote accessibility. According to Shafaqat, “Legacy systems are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of modern cities. Cloud video surveillance enables real-time data access, centralized control, and the agility required to respond to emerging threats.”
With Smarttive’s intelligent platforms, city administrators can monitor traffic flow, detect anomalies, and manage emergencies more efficiently—all from a unified dashboard powered by AI.
AI: From Passive Recording to Proactive Prevention
One of the most revolutionary changes in surveillance is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Instead of merely recording incidents, AI now plays a proactive role in preventing them. Shafaqat elaborates:
“Our intelligent AI systems identify abnormal activities, spot unattended items, and anticipate crowd build-ups—enabling intervention before issues become critical.”
For example, Smarttive’s systems can recognize license plates, monitor pedestrian movement, and trigger real-time alerts for unauthorized access—all while adhering to data privacy regulations.
Building Safer, Smarter Cities
From smart traffic systems to crime prevention, cloud video surveillance is becoming a critical part of smart city infrastructure. When asked how Smarttive contributes to urban resilience, Shafaqat highlights a few key areas:
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Real-time Traffic Management: AI analyzes congestion and reroutes traffic dynamically to reduce delays and emissions.
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Public Safety: Smarttive’s platforms integrate with emergency response systems, speeding up reaction time during crises.
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Environmental Monitoring: Sensors and video data can track pollution, illegal dumping, and other ecological threats.
“Safety is the foundation of smart cities,” Shafaqat explains. “When people feel safe, innovation can thrive.”
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Although the technology holds great potential, its implementation comes with notable challenges.. Data privacy, cybersecurity, and infrastructural limitations often pose significant hurdles. Shafaqat emphasizes the need for transparent data governance and cross-sector collaboration:
“Our approach at Smarttive is to build trust through accountability—ensuring encryption, compliance, and user control over data access.”
Looking ahead, Smarttive aims to integrate edge AI capabilities, allowing real-time decisions to be made locally on the camera, further reducing latency and dependence on cloud bandwidth.
Final Thoughts
The future of urban development lies in intelligent, interconnected systems—and Smarttive is leading that evolution. As cloud video surveillance merges with AI, cities are becoming not just smarter, but also more adaptive and secure.
In the words of Ali Shafaqat:
“Smart surveillance isn’t about watching more—it’s about understanding better, acting faster, and building a safer tomorrow.”
