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RIYADH: As millions of Muslims prepare to perform Hajj this year, Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded the use of artificial intelligence and smart digital technologies to improve crowd management, streamline operations and enhance the safety and comfort of pilgrims arriving from around the world, reported Alarbiya Tv
The Kingdom’s digital transformation efforts are being spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which is deploying a wide range of AI-powered platforms and smart services throughout the entire pilgrimage journey — from pilgrims’ departure in their home countries to their arrival in Saudi Arabia and return after completing Hajj rituals.
SDAIA spokesperson Majed al-Shehry said the Kingdom’s objective is to ensure that artificial intelligence works seamlessly in the background to make the Hajj journey “safer, smoother and more efficient at every stage.”
Saudi authorities say AI technologies are now playing a central role in managing one of the world’s largest annual gatherings through predictive analytics, advanced monitoring systems and real-time data processing.
A major focus this year is crowd management at key pilgrimage sites including Masjid al-Haram, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. AI-powered platforms such as Baseer and Sawaher, developed in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, use computer vision, thermal imaging and smart analytics to monitor crowd density and movement in real time.
The systems analyze live surveillance feeds to identify congestion points, predict crowd surges and help authorities respond more quickly to emergencies and operational challenges.
Saudi Arabia has also introduced multilingual AI-powered robots designed to assist pilgrims with religious guidance, translation and navigation services. The robots provide interactive educational content, answer religious inquiries and offer instant translation in multiple languages to facilitate communication for pilgrims from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to crowd management tools, the Kingdom has expanded digital services aimed at simplifying the pilgrimage process. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have reportedly benefited from the Mecca Route Initiative, which uses biometric verification and intelligent data processing technologies across 17 airports in 10 countries.
The initiative allows pilgrims to complete several travel procedures before arriving in Saudi Arabia, including biometric registration and immigration-related processing.
Digital platforms including Tawakkalna and Nusuk are also playing a key role during Hajj this year by offering more than 1,300 digital services for pilgrims.
The services include digital Hajj permits, navigation assistance, weather updates, emergency support, ambulance requests, Qibla direction tools and digital identification through the Nusuk Card, which stores medical records and emergency contact details.
Saudi officials say the growing integration of AI technologies into Hajj operations reflects the Kingdom’s broader ambition to position itself as a global leader in digital transformation and smart governance.
Authorities expect smart surveillance systems, predictive analytics, robotics and automated operations to play an even larger role in future Hajj seasons as Saudi Arabia continues investing in smart infrastructure projects in Mecca and Medina.
