Jeddah University Innovations: Artificial Intelligence to Serve Pilgrims
A tour conducted by Al-Youm newspaper at the exhibition accompanying the Health and Security in Hajj Forum revealed the exceptional and remarkable participation of Jeddah University. The university's pavilion showcased a number of pioneering student projects and innovations that harnessed modern technologies, most notably artificial intelligence, to serve pilgrimsand facilitate their performance of the Hajj rituals. These innovations covered vital areas such as health, security, crowd management, and smart communication.
Digital transformation in the holy sites
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on developing the Hajj and Umrah system, transitioning over the decades from traditional crowd management methods to adopting the latest technological advancements. This development aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places digital transformation as a cornerstone for service improvement. Integrating advanced technologies such as drones and big data analytics is no longer a luxury, but an urgent necessity for managing millions of pilgrims within a limited geographical area and timeframe, reflecting the Kingdom's longstanding and ongoing commitment to providing the utmost comfort and safety for pilgrims.
The role of artificial intelligence in serving pilgrims and managing crowds
The University of Jeddah's pavilion showcased advanced technological projects developed by the university's students and researchers. Among the most prominent was the "Baseera" system, presented by student Joud Al-Bishri from the Computer and Network Engineering Department. This smart system utilizes drones and artificial intelligence technologies to serve pilgrims by detecting emergencies in real time. The project's concept stems from the need to enhance response speed in crowded environments. The system monitors locations from above, analyzes scenes using computer vision, and then sends immediate alerts, supported by geolocation and live streaming, to the relevant authorities. The "Baseera" team includes students Joud Al-Bishri, Arwa Bazrous, Tala Al-Mashayqah, Lina Nour El-Din, Saja Al-Sawat, and Raghad Al-Shehri, under the supervision of Dr. Rasha Atwa.
In another project called “Baseer,” student Renad Al-Majayshi and her team presented a smart system for preventing crowd stampedes. The system relies on monitoring gatherings of people via traditional surveillance cameras and analyzing risk indicators before they escalate. Al-Majayshi pointed out that the system predicts potential hazards before they occur, giving security teams ample time to intervene early, under the slogan “Early warning, faster intervention, and lives protected.” Raghad Al-Thaqafi, Mayar Hanif, Abrar Habibullah, and Jana Al-Harbi are also participating in the project, which is supervised by Sahar Fawzi.
Healthcare and preventive awareness
On the health front, Dr. Iman Balbaid, a family medicine consultant at the Medical Services Department of Jeddah University, explained that the department provides comprehensive health and awareness services for pilgrims. These services begin with seasonal and required vaccinations before performing the Hajj rituals, in addition to interactive awareness clinics. She indicated that the clinics offer guidance on how to use medications for chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes during Hajj, and raise awareness about heat exhaustion and sunstroke, as well as methods of prevention. She emphasized the importance of pilgrims balancing their health and religious observance, noting that "the wise pilgrim is the one who balances their health and their worship.".
The impact of Saudi innovations on the Islamic world
The impact of these student innovations extends far beyond the local level within the Holy Sites, leaving a broad regional and international mark. The Kingdom's success in employing emerging technologies to manage the world's largest annual human gathering presents a global model for crowd and crisis management. These efforts enhance the peace of mind of millions of Muslims worldwide who flock to Mecca and underscore the Kingdom's leadership in exporting innovative technological solutions. Jeddah University's participation in this forum embodies a strategic commitment to supporting innovation, contributing to improved response efficiency and safety, and providing a secure and advanced spiritual experience for pilgrims.
