Saudi Arabia Utilizes AI To Streamline Hajj Operations For Enhanced Pilgrim Experience
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has leveraged data and AI technologies to improve the pilgrim experience during this Hajj season, ensuring responsible AI practices. These technologies have been deployed across 11 airports in seven countries through the Makkah Route Initiative and at 14 entry points for pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia.
These entry points are equipped with 1,092 workstations featuring the latest biometric capture and registration devices, operated by a team of national technical staff around the clock to ensure service continuity. Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), stated that SDAIA’s use of AI systems has enhanced the management of Hajj operations with high levels of productivity, efficiency, and security.
Dr. Alghamdi emphasized that SDAIA continuously strives to develop its services during the Hajj season in parallel with its year-round efforts aimed at facilitating the entry of pilgrims into Saudi Arabia through the digitization of airport and border crossing services. These efforts contribute to optimizing performance and providing an organized, easy, and effective experience.
During this year’s Hajj season, Saudi Arabia, through SDAIA, provided a range of advanced technological services that contributed to serving the pilgrims. These services included the smart platforms Basier and Sawaher. Basier is the first real-time computer vision system in Saudi Arabia and one of the largest crowd management systems in the Middle East.
Basier relies on multiple technological systems operating with national algorithms to monitor and manage crowds in the Grand Mosque, regulate their movements, and facilitate vehicle flow. Dr. Alghamdi clarified that SDAIA’s efforts reflect continuous support from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of SDAIA’s Board of Directors.
Sawaher platform, developed and operated by SDAIA, leverages data analytics and AI to analyze live and recorded video feeds and thermal camera imagery. This advanced analysis technology enables enhanced security measures for Hajj sites, ensuring the comfort and smooth movement of pilgrims.
This year, Sawaher’s geographical coverage has been expanded to include a wider range of areas such as the vicinity of the Grand Mosque, major roads in Makkah, tunnels, holy sites, and land routes leading to these areas.
During this Hajj season, SDAIA introduced numerous digital services to enhance the pilgrim’s experience. This includes over 315 services on Tawakkalna app, which pilgrims have benefited from. These services include Weather Gate, Holy Quran recitation, Qibla Direction, viewing the digital pilgrim card (Nusuk), entry permits for vehicles and Hajj workers into holy sites, Ambulance Request, and SOS services.
Moreover, Ehsan platform provides services such as sponsoring Hajj for first-time pilgrims, providing food and water to pilgrims, and facilitating Ritual (Nusuk) by undertaking Adahi requests digitally and distributing them through Adahi program.