Iraq crowd surveillance: AI used to monitor crowds for the Arbaeen pilgrimage | TheBriefWire
Iraq crowd surveillance: AI used to monitor crowds for the Arbaeen pilgrimage
Published 4 August 2026 · world
Millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims are congregating in Iraq for Arbaeen, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Crowds from around the world
Millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims are congregating in Iraq for Arbaeen, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Crowds from around the world gather at the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala.
For the first time, police are using artificial intelligence to monitor crowds and keep pilgrims safe. But that's worrying rights groups in Iraq—a country with no data protection laws.
Al Jazeera’s Jack Hewson reports from Mahmudiyah, near Baghdad. Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
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