As the world races toward smarter, more sustainable cities, the ethical use of data has become just as important as technological progress. In this exclusive interview with GreenTech News ME, Martin, Chief Marketing Officer at Milestone Systems, discusses how the company’s collaboration with NVIDIA through Project Hafnia is setting new standards for responsible AI development. From ensuring data transparency to supporting national visions like Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071, Martin shares how Milestone’s open-platform video technology is reshaping how cities across the GCC think about safety, sustainability, and trust.
2. How is Milestone’s Project Hafnia, in partnership with Nvidia, helping to ethically source and manage the vast amounts of video data required for AI models, and why is this critical for public trust in smart city deployments?
Project Hafnia is changing the way companies access and use video data by making the process smarter, faster, and fully compliant with regulations. The platform gives developers access to high-quality, real-world video data that’s traceable, legally licensed, and privacy-protected. This means they can train their AI models faster, all while keeping ethics and data responsibility front and center.
Project Hafnia stands out for its ability to break down data silos by connecting global partners and encouraging more collaborative, smarter AI innovation. It brings transparency and legal compliance to the forefront by ensuring that sensitive video data is handled responsibly. This approach helps build the trust that’s essential for people to feel confident about AI in smart city environments. By championing responsible data practices, Project Hafnia is helping cities earn the trust of the communities they serve.
3. Milestone Systems is a global leader in data-driven video technology. Why does the company view the Middle East, and the GCC in particular, as a strategic market for its future growth and innovation?
The GCC is becoming a very important growth engine for Milestone, and for good reason. The region is in the middle of a massive transformation, positioning itself as a global leader in smart cities and future-ready infrastructure. Governments here are investing at scale in urban planning and advancements. Take Dubai’s Smart City Project, for example, it’s weaving AI and IoT into more than 1,000 government services, transport systems, and critical infrastructure, creating a connected urban environment that sets a new benchmark globally. For a company innovating in data-driven video technology for cities, this is exactly the kind of forward-looking market that fuels both growth and innovation.
What we’re seeing today is a shift driven by digital-first mindset, stricter compliance requirements, and increasing cybersecurity demands all of which align closely with our strategy and expertise in data-driven video technology. In the Middle East, mega-projects and major events are further accelerating the need for scalable, reliable video management solutions that safeguard people and assets while ensuring cities operate seamlessly.
We’re already deeply involved in helping shape this transformation. Take NEOM, for example, we’re supporting its smart city ambitions through a network of connected cameras and sensors that enable safer, smarter urban management. What sets us apart is not just the technology, but our consultative, locally attuned approach. We understand the cultural nuances and regulatory landscape, and we work closely with our partners to deliver solutions that are both globally proven and regionally relevant.
4. How do the insights and innovations from MXD 2025 connect to the broader national visions of the GCC, such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Centennial 2071 goals for smart and sustainable cities?
Milestone’s AI-powered video solutions empower safer, more resilient communities in line with national visions across the GCC. By turning real-time video data into actionable insights, we give government agencies the tools to spot potential threats early, respond faster to incidents, and make decisions backed by solid evidence. That’s how smarter, more proactive governance becomes possible.
Sustainability is equally front and center. Our intelligent video storage and cloud-based options not only cut down on environmental impact but also support the region’s long-term green ambitions. And because our platform is open and scalable, it works seamlessly with both existing infrastructure and new innovations, making it easy to adapt to changing urban needs while getting the most out of available resources.
5. Looking beyond security, how do you see the data collected and analyzed by Milestone’s technology, including from airports and smart cities, reshaping urban planning and public services?
We help city authorities gain a complete, real-time understanding of what’s happening across their urban environments. By integrating open-platform video management systems with broader smart city infrastructure, we’re enabling a new level of overview over mobility, infrastructure, and citizen services.
AI plays a central role in this transformation. Our video analytics capabilities bring intelligence to everyday operations by improving traffic flow, detecting congestion, and instantly identifying incidents across city roads. Whether it’s a crash, a wrong-way vehicle, or unusual crowd or pedestrian movement, AI ensures authorities can act quickly and confidently. This kind of automation drastically cuts down on missed events and false alarms, easing the burden on operators and allowing them to focus on what truly matters, which is keeping people safe and cities running smoothly.
The benefits go well beyond traffic management. In critical spaces like airports and large public venues, AI helps improve crowd movement and mobility control. Organizers and authorities can make faster, evidence-based decisions that keep operations seamless and passengers or visitors moving efficiently. It’s about turning data into action and transforming how modern cities think about safety, mobility, and responsiveness.
6. What is Milestone Systems’ view on the future of video technology and AI in the region? What are the key ethical, regulatory, and technological hurdles that need to be addressed for this technology to reach its full potential?
As governments in the region accelerate their smart city agendas, video technology and AI will play a pivotal role in enhancing public safety, optimizing mobility, improving urban planning, and enabling data-driven governance.
However, for this technology to achieve its full potential, ensuring that video data is collected, stored, and analyzed responsibly is important. Compliance with data protection laws and safeguards for individual privacy are essential for building and maintaining public trust.
From a security perspective, the rise in cyber threats targeting city infrastructures demands robust protection. We are hardening our video management system (VMS) ecosystem against intrusion attempts, ransomware, and supply chain attacks through measures such as strong encryption, secure connections, and strict user access controls with role-based permissions, time limits, and two-step verification. Separating camera and core networks limits the spread of potential attacks, while encrypted, password-protected, and digitally signed video exports ensure data integrity.
Technologically, scalability and interoperability are critical. Cities require systems that can adapt to evolving demands without vendor lock-in. Milestone Systems addresses this by maintaining open-platform compatibility at scale, following ONVIF standards to ensure seamless integration across multiple brands and devices. The company continuously tests and certifies new devices, and its flexible licensing model allows unlimited devices and servers to be added across locations with ease.
Conclusion
As cities across the Middle East continue to embrace data-driven transformation, Milestone Systems is leading the way in ensuring that innovation remains responsible, transparent, and future-ready. With Project Hafnia driving ethical AI collaboration, open-platform technology promoting scalability, and sustainability woven into every layer of its ecosystem, Milestone’s approach reflects a new era where progress and accountability move hand in hand. The company’s vision is clear: smarter cities aren’t just about intelligence—they’re about integrity, inclusion, and impact.
