ST and CST booths at GSX 2026

Drones, AI and Atlanta Roots: Key Takeaways from GSX Day 3

As GSX wraps up an incredible week, conversations around AI, drones and executive protection reinforce that the people drive this industry forward just as much as the technology.

As Day 3 winds down, it is hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia being back in Atlanta. GSX was hosted here back in 2022, and it is already looking like the show will return to the Peach State down the road in 2030. Atlanta always delivers a great backdrop for this event, and walking these halls again brings back fine memories while setting the stage for where our industry is heading next.

The discussions on the floor today were particularly insightful. Spending time talking with attendees and vendors, a few major themes dominated almost every conversation: the expanding role of AI in daily security operations, advancements in drone technology and evolving strategies around executive protection. The speed at which these technologies are advancing is remarkable, giving security professionals tools that were barely on the radar just a few years ago.

Yet, as impressive as the innovation on display continues to be, Day 3 always brings home a familiar truth: as crucial as the technology is, the people are what make GSX truly special. The cutting-edge hardware and software are essential, but the real power of this show lies in the human element—the shared knowledge, the collaborative problem-solving and the relationships built and renewed right here on the floor.

It has been another memorable GSX, and I leave Atlanta inspired by both the tech we use and the dedicated community behind it.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

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