Building Safer Communities

In conversation with Security MEA, Tunde Williams, Marketing Director for the International Region for Motorola Solutions, highlights that the Middle East region is more open to embracing new, cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced broadband technologies than the rest of the world.

How would you define the Middle East region?
When we compare the Middle East with other regions, its unique approach to adopting new technology becomes apparent. Unlike other regions that often lean towards conservatism, the Middle East stands out for its forward-looking attitude and readiness to embrace leading technologies.

So, for example, think about technologies such as artificial intelligence; they seem more ready to be adopted here in the Middle East. Also, many of our broadband technologies tend to be more readily adopted within this region.

Talking about AI, how is Motorola integrating AI into its product line?
At Motorola, we leverage AI in various domains, particularly within our core radio technologies. Here, AI enhances audio clarity by effectively suppressing noise. This advancement is especially beneficial for frontline responders who often encounter a wide range of noise types. Our MXM600 product is a testament to our industry-leading position in implementing this noise suppression AI.

Additionally, we utilise AI in control room environments to detect and transcribe spoken languages, aiding emergency responders in real-time situations, particularly where language barriers exist.

Furthermore, our AI-driven solutions facilitate post-incident investigation and evidence management, expediting case resolution and supporting successful prosecutions. By integrating these technologies end-to-end, we contribute to the overarching goal of building safer societies. We ensure that our products and services align with ethical principles and regulatory standards, thus prioritizing privacy and responsible AI practices.

What industry verticals drive your business in the Middle East?
In the Middle East, government entities and the oil and gas industries are major drivers of our business. The real estate and retail industries also contribute considerably to our business in the region.

When it comes to a safer society, what trends are you foreseeing in the near future?
AI is a significant trend driven by the exponential growth of data generated through various channels like phone calls, internet interactions, and video. With data volumes surpassing human capacity, industries use AI to manage tasks beyond human capabilities. AI also addresses concerns like deepfakes, using technologies such as watermarks in video to ensure authenticity. Encryption is pivotal in safeguarding digitised information from leaks. Voice-based interfaces are emerging, enhancing user experience and safety, as seen in our integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling police officers to perform tasks hands-free and reducing distractions. These trends underscore the evolving landscape where AI and encryption play critical roles in data management and interface development, catering to the increasing demands of a data-driven world while prioritising security and usability.

How do you envision the region’s growth?
The company’s growth strategy involves consolidating our leadership in critical communications, video surveillance, video analytics, voice interfaces, access control, and related software and applications. We want to promote our SaaS model and managed services with the intention of providing customers with more flexibility and optimisation of resources while focusing on their core business.

Our roadmap is aligned with customers’ evolving needs, particularly in the realm of public safety, with an overarching goal of contributing to the development of safer communities. We are committed to responsible technology development and usage, emphasising guiding principles such as transparency, human oversight, and data privacy protection. This ethical framework underscores the company’s dedication to fostering trust and accountability within the technology ecosystem.