TLDR: The Electronic Security Association (ESA) has established the AI Readiness Council (ARC) to assist the electronic security and life safety sector in the responsible, practical, and profitable integration of artificial intelligence. Led by Priya Serai, the council will focus on real-world AI applications, ethical frameworks, industry standards, and educational initiatives to enhance AI literacy and optimize business operations.
The Electronic Security Association (ESA) has officially launched its AI Readiness Council (ARC), a strategic initiative designed to navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence adoption within the electronic security and life safety industry. Formed on September 4, 2025, the council aims to provide guidance for the responsible, practical, and profitable integration of AI technologies across the sector.
Priya Serai, Chief Information Officer at Zeus Fire and Security, has been appointed to chair the new council, with Matt Carlson, Controller and Accounting Manager at Doyle Security, serving as vice chair. The ESA recognizes that AI is rapidly transforming the industry, offering significant advancements through predictive analytics, intelligent video solutions, and biometric access control. Beyond core security functions, AI is also reshaping critical business operations, including marketing, scheduling, installations, service delivery, and billing processes.
However, alongside these opportunities, the industry faces considerable challenges, particularly concerning governance, compliance, and ethical considerations. Kevin Stone, ESA Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer at Doyle Security, emphasized the council’s proactive role, stating, “ARC gives our members a way to lead, not just react, as AI reshapes the security landscape. This council is about real-world solutions that help integrators and business owners adopt AI with confidence and clarity.”
The ARC’s work will be structured around four key pillars:
1. AI in Action: This area will explore practical, real-world applications of AI within various security domains, including video surveillance, fire detection, intrusion systems, and central station monitoring.
2. Ethics and Governance: The council will develop frameworks to address potential biases, manage risks effectively, and ensure compliance with emerging regulatory standards.
3. Standards and Best Practices: Focus will be placed on establishing operational and technical guidelines to facilitate safe and scalable AI integration throughout the industry.
4. Education, Workforce Readiness, and Business Optimization: This pillar will concentrate on creating training content and pathways to build AI literacy among professionals, with a specific emphasis on improving marketing, sales, operations, installation, and billing efficiencies.
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Priya Serai highlighted the council’s mission to provide clarity amidst the rapid advancements in AI. “ARC is here to separate signal from noise,” Serai commented. “We want to help companies make informed decisions and understand the long-term impact of AI in our industry.” The ESA is actively seeking volunteers to contribute to the council’s efforts, offering opportunities to participate in webinars, develop toolkits and white papers, and join working groups dedicated to the role of AI in the security space.
