Face recognition systems play a crucial role in security, surveillance, and authentication applications. However, traditional deep learning-based models, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), often struggle with issues such as varying lighting conditions, occlusions, and high computational costs. This paper proposes an Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART)-based face recognition framework that enhances recognition robustness and computational efficiency. Unlike CNNs, ART enables incremental learning without requiring retraining, making it suitable for realtime applications. The study evaluated the proposed system on threebenchmark datasets: LFW, Yale, and ORL. Experimental results indicate that the ART-based model achieved an average accuracy of 96.2%, outperforming CNN-based models (93.5%) while reducing recognition time by 25%. Additionally, ART demonstrated superior adaptability, maintaining recognition accuracy above 94% even under occlusion and low-light conditions. These findings confirm the effectiveness of ART-based face recognition for security, access control, and innovative surveillance applications. Future research will focus on integrating ART with deep learning techniques for enhanced performance in large-scale datasets.