SDAIA develops AI-powered Smart Makkah Operations Center to serve Hajj pilgrims

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Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has developed the Smart Makkah Operations Center (Smart Moc) to ensure the safety and comfort of Hajj pilgrims and facilitating their movement and the services provided to them. (SPA)
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Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has developed the Smart Makkah Operations Center (Smart Moc) to ensure the safety and comfort of Hajj pilgrims and facilitating their movement and the services provided to them. (SPA)
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Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has developed the Smart Makkah Operations Center (Smart Moc) to ensure the safety and comfort of Hajj pilgrims and facilitating their movement and the services provided to them. (SPA)
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Updated 17 June 2024
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SDAIA develops AI-powered Smart Makkah Operations Center to serve Hajj pilgrims

  • The operations center uses the latest technologies based on AI techniques to do so

MAKKAH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has developed the Smart Makkah Operations Center (Smart Moc) to ensure the safety and comfort of Hajj pilgrims and facilitating their movement and the services provided to them, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The operations center uses the latest technologies based on AI techniques to do so, SPA added.

A team of experts in a variety of fields, including programming, data, and AI, are employed at Smart Moc on a round-the-clock basis to monitor the operational processes of the platforms and provide precise analyses of their progress.

This is in accordance with SDAIA's commitment to utilizing the most advanced technologies and AI to assist pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Among the center's major achievements is the "Basier" platform, the first real-time computer vision system in Saudi Arabia and one of the largest crowd management systems in the Middle East, used to manage crowds in the Grand Mosque, regulate their movements, and facilitate the flow of vehicles.


Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

Updated 11 January 2026
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Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

  • It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content

TAIF: A special section highlighting key Saudi literary figures forms part of the Writers and Readers Festival in Taif.

The area explores the lives of distinguished writers, poets, and authors who have shaped the Kingdom’s creative landscape, influencing literature, journalism, theater and intellectual thought.

It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the festival runs until Jan. 15 and features 42 prominent publishing houses from Saudi Arabia and overseas, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest works in literature, philosophy and general knowledge.

Meanwhile, the festival’s interactive murals section engages visitors with openwork art panels, allowing them to contribute to the city’s features and identity.

The murals depict Taif’s natural and historical landmarks, including Al-Hada Mountain, the Taif rose gardens, and traditional Hijazi palaces. Others are inspired by Souq Okaz, a historic literary and commercial center linked to the region’s poetic heritage.

Designed by a visual artist, they blend folk-inspired elements with imaginative expression, creating a collaborative experience that celebrates the city’s beauty and brings art closer to the public.