Makkah Halal Forum 2026: Artificial intelligence to eliminate paper certificates
Makkah witnessed the launch of the third edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2026, outlining a completely new era for the global halal industry, valued at trillions of dollars. The event officially heralded the end of the era of traditional paper certificates and a radical shift towards a fully integrated digital system based on artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies to ensure the highest standards of transparency and governance from the source to the consumer.
Strategic shift in the halal industry
This shift comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to solidify its position as a global hub for the halal industry, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which focuses on economic diversification and developing digital infrastructure. This move is of paramount importance given the challenges facing global supply chains, as replacing paper documents with digital assets is a crucial step in preventing fraud and reducing time and financial waste in customs and logistics procedures.
From paper to digital encrypted assets
During a workshop titled “The Future of Halal,” experts unveiled a technological roadmap extending to 2030. Talha Sheikh, a digital transformation specialist, emphasized that the coming years will witness the transformation of halal certificates into tamper-proof, encrypted digital assets. This technology will enable the end consumer to instantly verify the origin and traceability of meat and other products by scanning a QR code, thereby enhancing trust between producers and consumers and eliminating traditional bureaucracy.
Artificial intelligence: The new observer
In discussing automation, AI specialist Daniel Ahmed presented the concept of "agent AI." This technology relies on intelligent assistants capable of analyzing thousands of complex documents in seconds and automating rigorous checklists. This development not only accelerates product entry to market and reduces import times but also ensures high compliance accuracy, while the final decision and oversight remain with human oversight to guarantee adherence to strict legal requirements.
Practical applications: Control from slaughter to storage
The forum went beyond theoretical discussions; Professor Wadih Al-Halabi presented practical examples of employing smart systems in field monitoring. These applications include the use of AI-powered surveillance cameras to verify the legality of automated slaughtering processes, as well as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor temperatures during transport and storage, ensuring adherence to hygiene standards in large kitchens. This shift moves the industry from mere "traditional compliance" to proactive "smart governance.".
Warning of a strategic gap
Hassan Khallawi, representing the technology integration sector, concluded the sessions with a stark warning to companies operating in the sector, noting that delays in adopting these technologies could create a "strategic gap" that would force those lagging behind out of the market. He described the technology as a "financial shield" that protects profit margins by reducing the costs of human error and allows companies to expand across borders efficiently without the need for a massive increase in traditional workforces.
