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3. Saudis Use AI, Drones and Thousands of Cameras to Keep Hajj Pilgrims Safe

In Mecca, a large-scale technological system operates around the clock during the Hajj. With more than 15,000 smart cameras, drones, and AI-powered software, authorities monitor crowd movements and coordinate the transport of 1.

6 million pilgrims in real time using over 23,000 buses. The goal is to prevent incidents, avoid human bottlenecks, and protect worshipers — particularly those vulnerable to extreme heat, which caused 1,300 deaths in 2024.