As urbanization accelerates at a breakneck pace, cities around the world are facing growing challenges in management and operations. The demand for a safer, more efficient and more convenient living environment has pushed urban leaders to seek advanced technology solutions. In that context, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) integrated with surveillance camera systems has opened a promising new step forward in security management and smart city operations. AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring do not merely record footage, they can also analyze, identify and generate intelligent decisions, creating a major shift in how we manage and protect our living spaces.
What are AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring and how do they work?
How AI cameras work
In the smart city era, AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring are not simply recording devices. They are powerful visual data analytics systems integrated with AI to deliver real time insights and responses. Unlike traditional cameras, AI cameras can “understand” what is happening in the frame, from recognizing faces, vehicles and abnormal behavior to classifying objects such as pedestrians, motorbikes and cars.
The core of AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring lies in image processing through deep learning algorithms. These algorithms are trained on millions of frames, enabling them to detect and predict behaviors such as running red lights, lane violations, crowd gathering or emergency situations like fires, explosions or traffic collisions. Analysis results can be sent to operation centers for alerts, triggering timely responses or supporting evidence extraction after an incident.

Common applications
Thanks to strong analytics capabilities, AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring are being widely applied across many fields, delivering practical value for city management and operations.
In security, AI cameras can help detect and prevent crime, track suspicious subjects and support post incident investigations.
In traffic management, they can recognize license plates, detect traffic violations, regulate traffic flow and optimize traffic signal systems.
With strong potential, AI cameras are gradually becoming an essential tool for building smart, safer and more livable cities.
>> See more: NLT Group smart AI traffic monitoring camera system
How AI cameras are used in urban monitoring around the world
Amid the powerful digital transformation wave in modern cities, AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring have become a critical tool to ensure security, optimize operations and improve quality of life. From Asia to Europe, each country has its own approach to deploying and leveraging this technology, creating models worth learning from.
China: leading the way in digitizing security
China is impossible to overlook when discussing AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring. With the “Skynet” system reportedly covering more than 200 million cameras nationwide, China has built a massive monitoring network using AI for facial recognition, behavior tracking and real time crime detection. The results are evident in suspect tracing and security control in key areas.
However, alongside these achievements are ongoing privacy concerns, as citizens increasingly worry about excessive monitoring and limited transparency in how data is collected and used.

Singapore: a model smart city
As a leader in the “smart nation” model, Singapore has leveraged AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring as a core part of its smart city management strategy. The government has deployed a range of AI camera systems to regulate traffic and detect violations such as running red lights, speeding and illegal parking.
In addition, Singapore integrates AI cameras with big data analytics to coordinate traffic flows, reduce congestion and make infrastructure adjustments based on real world behavior. With machine learning capabilities, the system can also optimize routes, detect accidents and suggest rapid response actions. This helps save time for residents, reduce pollution and improve the effectiveness of urban traffic management.
United States: diverse use cases from security to resource management
In the United States, AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring are used not only for security purposes but also to support broader urban management. Major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco have applied AI in traffic monitoring, incident detection, flow control and smart parking management.
One notable example is an AI system that identifies available spaces in public parking areas and guides drivers to the nearest spot through a mobile application. At the same time, AI cameras can detect drivers using phones while driving, lane violations or behavior that endangers pedestrians, helping reduce accidents and improve traffic safety.

Lessons and real world deployment in Vietnam
Vietnam is gradually establishing its position in the smart city digital transformation trend, where AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring are considered an important link. Although Vietnam started later than many developed countries, the pace of deployment shows strong potential, especially as domestic technology has made clear progress.
Pilot deployments in several localities
In Ho Chi Minh City, AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring have been applied in traffic monitoring and public security. Through cameras integrated with artificial intelligence, the city can detect traffic violations such as lane violations, running red lights, or suspicious behavior in public areas. Beyond detection, the system also enables automated violation processing, helping reduce the workload for functional forces.
Hanoi has recently been accelerating deployment of a 3,700 AI camera system across many inner city districts. This system not only recognizes license plates and faces but also integrates with population data to support tracing activities and handling traffic violations and crime prevention.
Localities such as Binh Duong, Da Nang and Bac Ninh are also promoting the connection of AI cameras with their smart city operation centers (IOC). With real time data analytics capabilities, these provinces and cities can monitor security and traffic conditions and quickly respond to emergencies such as fires, large gatherings or accidents.

Early results from these localities show that AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring are no longer a future trend. They are already being realized in Vietnam, opening a new chapter in building smart, safe and livable cities.
Conclusion
AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring are becoming an essential tool in smart city development worldwide. From China and Singapore to Europe and the United States, this technology has proven its critical role in ensuring security and enabling efficient management. In Vietnam, multiple localities have taken initial steps to deploy AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring, delivering positive signals. However, to maximize effectiveness, coordinated investment in technology, infrastructure and data policies is required. AI surveillance cameras for urban monitoring are not only a trend, they are also a key to a safer and more modern living environment.
Contact information
If you are interested in deploying an AI surveillance camera system for urban monitoring or need consultation on smart traffic solutions, feel free to contact NLT Group.
Nam Long Technology Investment Group (NLT Group)
- Address: 43T Ho Van Hue Street, Duc Nhuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotline: 0911 379 581
- Email: kinhdoanh@nlt-group.com
- TIN: 0313339640
Contact us today for free consultation and experience the most modern smart traffic solutions from NLT Group!
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