Across Asia, cities are accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into their public safety and traffic management systems, marking a significant shift in how urban areas tackle security and road safety challenges. From Vietnam’s ambitious traffic surveillance upgrades to Nagaland’s city-wide AI-powered vehicle monitoring and Cebu City’s innovative safety alert systems, authorities are embracing technology to enhance public safety, reduce accidents, and streamline enforcement.
In Vietnam, the Traffic Police Department is spearheading a transformative approach to road safety by minimizing human presence on the roads and leveraging advanced surveillance technologies. Major General Binh, a leading official in the department, emphasized the pressing need to apply comprehensive solutions, particularly scientific and technological advancements such as AI, to address persistent traffic problems. Despite a notable reduction in traffic accidents during the first half of 2025, with motorcycles accounting for about 60 percent of incidents, challenges remain, especially in remote areas where safe driving knowledge is limited.
“To achieve this, awareness of traffic participation needs to change. Humans must be considered as the most critical factor, the key to building a cultured approach to traffic participation,” Binh stated, underscoring the human element alongside technological innovation. The department plans to collaborate closely with local police to educate residents in villages and hamlets on traffic safety skills, aiming to improve driver competence in handling unexpected situations.
Central to Vietnam’s strategy is the deployment of surveillance systems capable of detecting violations and reporting them to offenders within a maximum of two hours. Binh revealed that the Traffic Police Department’s data, surveillance, and traffic control center will soon operate round-the-clock, akin to a hospital emergency department, to foster a culture of compliance. Additionally, the department is exploring the issuance of electronic versions of all citizen documents to facilitate verification during inspections without physical paperwork, thereby reducing the risk of forged documents. Amendments to regulations will also allow violators to respond to notices online, streamlining penalty issuance with electronic evidence.
Meanwhile, in India’s northeastern state of Nagaland, the city of Dimapur is embarking on a groundbreaking City Surveillance Implementation Project powered by AI. The Business Association of Nagas (BAN), in collaboration with local authorities, organized a symposium on July 19, 2025, themed “Securing Dimapur: A Joint Endeavour,” to discuss the urgent need for an integrated surveillance system under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
BAN President L Mongkum Jamir highlighted the multifaceted benefits of city-wide surveillance, noting its critical role beyond crime control to encompass traffic management, urban governance, environmental protection, and public utility efficiency. “As the commercial and social centre of Nagaland, Dimapur must lead the way,” Jamir said, advocating for the immediate adoption of the surveillance project to enhance safety and infrastructure.
Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma detailed the pilot project’s use of Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) cameras equipped with AI, enabling instant identification of vehicles and suspects. He noted the sheer scale of the initiative, with approximately 10,000 surveillance cameras needed for Dimapur alone. Recognizing the financial challenge, Sharma emphasized the necessity of public contribution, particularly in procuring cameras, and confirmed the Chief Minister’s full support.
The police department also aims to integrate existing CCTV systems from private premises into a unified city-wide control system, enhancing operational efficiency. A live demonstration showcased how the surveillance system would connect with the Transport Department to access vehicle registration, driving license details, and contact information in real time.
Participants at the symposium unanimously adopted a resolution to implement the City Surveillance Project focusing on high-priority zones such as commercial areas, traffic intersections, and vulnerable sites. The project will operate under a PPP model, combining private sector expertise and investment with public sector oversight. A Multi-Stakeholder Task Force will be established to define technical standards, governance, and financing, while legal and ethical safeguards including data privacy, encryption, and audits will be rigorously enforced.
Further south in the Philippines, Cebu City is preparing to roll out a new AI-powered safety alert system and camera network by December 2025 to bolster traffic management and public safety. Mayor Nestor Archival revealed plans to install AI-enhanced CCTV cameras and safety boxes across the city’s high-risk areas and key public spaces, such as piers, parks, and other gathering places prone to crime or traffic incidents.
“For me, it will be easier to identify people who commit crime,” Archival said, emphasizing the AI system’s ability to detect unusual movements, identify vehicles and individuals, and accelerate police response times. The safety boxes will provide instant communication links to the police nerve center, potentially integrating with the existing City 911 emergency center to streamline emergency responses.
With the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit scheduled to be held in Cebu City, preparations are intensifying. The mayor is actively seeking funding to support the Cebu City Police Office’s request for additional motorcycle and four-wheel vehicle patrol units to enhance emergency response capabilities and maintain heightened patrols during the event.
Archival also mentioned ongoing coordination with the city council’s peace and order committee to develop a comprehensive plan for the summit, which will see high-ranking officials from across Southeast Asia converge in Cebu City. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to leveraging AI and technology to create safer, smarter urban environments capable of meeting the demands of major international events.
Across these diverse Asian cities, the integration of AI-powered surveillance and safety systems represents a paradigm shift in public security and traffic management. Vietnam’s focus on minimizing human intervention while enhancing enforcement efficiency, Nagaland’s ambitious city-wide AI surveillance project under a collaborative PPP framework, and Cebu City’s innovative safety alert networks all illustrate a shared vision: harnessing technology to protect citizens, reduce accidents, and build resilient, responsive urban spaces.
As these initiatives unfold, they offer compelling examples of how AI can be thoughtfully integrated into public safety strategies, balancing technological innovation with human awareness and ethical considerations. The coming months and years will reveal how effectively these cities can navigate the complexities of implementation, public acceptance, and privacy safeguards to realize the full potential of AI in safeguarding their communities.
