Saudi Arabian authorities are deploying artificial intelligence to monitor crowds and provide multilingual assistance during the Hajj pilgrimage [1].
The integration of these technologies aims to prevent casualties and improve safety for a massive influx of people in one of the world's most challenging logistical environments.
Saudi authorities said they are utilizing AI and other preventive measures to receive over one million pilgrims [1] and protect them from the impact of extreme heat. The deployment includes the use of AI for crowd monitoring and the implementation of shaded passages to mitigate high summer temperatures [5].
Beyond safety, the technology is designed to bridge communication gaps. A Saudi government spokesperson said AI will be used to serve pilgrims and elevate services to be accessible across various languages and cultures [2]. These efforts are coordinated through the Ministry of Hajj, Religious Affairs, and the telecom operator stc [1].
While some reports link these initiatives to the 2025 Gregorian season and the Islamic year 1446 AH [2, 3], other records indicate preparations extending into the 1447 AH period [4]. This suggests a long-term strategy to digitize the pilgrimage experience.
The holy sites in Mecca, specifically the Masjid al-Harām and surrounding venues, serve as the primary hubs for these AI-enabled systems [1, 5]. By utilizing heat-mapping and real-time data, officials intend to manage the flow of people more effectively during the peak of the pilgrimage.
“Saudi authorities said they are utilizing AI and other preventive measures to receive over one million pilgrims.”
The use of AI during Hajj represents a shift toward 'smart' pilgrimage management, where data-driven decisions replace manual crowd control. By focusing on heat mitigation and multilingual support, Saudi Arabia is attempting to reduce the physical and communicative stressors that historically lead to emergencies during the mass gathering.
