Latest news with #digitalplatforms
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
SDAIA: Saudi AI Platform Baseer Boosts Crowd, Security Control During Hajj
Saudi Arabia's Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is leading a smart ecosystem to monitor and support the Hajj journey through advanced digital platforms designed to manage crowds and identify congestion points within the Grand Mosque, including the Tawaf area. The authority, working in coordination with other government entities, has deployed its technologies across 12 international airports in eight countries, creating a fully integrated digital system backed by real-time analytics and advanced algorithms. The initiative aims to support the Hajj operation and improve the quality of services offered to pilgrims. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, SDAIA's Vice President, Engineer Sami bin Abdullah Moquim, said the authority has harnessed its advanced technical infrastructure and skilled workforce, including data scientists, AI specialists, engineers and technicians, to develop smart solutions that empower both government and private sector entities to make timely, informed decisions and boost operational efficiency. Smart platforms activated Moquim said SDAIA has completed its preparations for the Hajj season in line with directives from the Saudi leadership to ensure the comfort and ease of pilgrims. He noted that the authority has extended technical support to government agencies tasked with managing the pilgrimage. This support includes launching and activating several digital platforms during Hajj seasons to deliver high-quality services using the latest technologies, he said. SDAIA's engineers and technicians are working around the clock to maintain the digital infrastructure, ensure continuity of services for pilgrims, and address any technical challenges across the Kingdom's land, sea, and air border crossings in coordination with relevant authorities. He added that SDAIA's technical teams are operating dedicated workstations to facilitate the entry procedures of pilgrims and are providing continuous support in the terminals designated for their arrival to ensure smooth operation of systems and uninterrupted communication. Advanced tech at entry points SDAIA is extending its digital support to frontline security teams stationed at checkpoints and entry points leading to Makkah, while also equipping key holy sites with advanced technologies to streamline the Hajj experience, said Moquim. Additionally, the authority is supporting security entities at filtering checkpoints and security centers around Makkah and is operating sites in the holy locations of Arafat, Mina, Muzdalifah, and the Grand Mosque. The authority is also managing tech operations at the Al-Muaisem emergency complex and overseeing preventive maintenance to ensure systems remain fully functional throughout the pilgrimage season, Moquim told Asharq Al-Awsat. Global airport presence SDAIA has also deployed enhanced digital and AI-powered systems at 12 international airports across eight countries as part of its support for the 'Makkah Route' initiative. The initiative aims to ease travel procedures for pilgrims from the moment they depart their home countries through to their arrival in Saudi Arabia and eventual return with minimal disruption. Technical teams are remotely monitoring the systems and workstations deployed in these airports to ensure seamless operations. SDAIA is also providing real-time technical support to resolve malfunctions, maintain high performance levels, and ensure integrated service delivery. The initiative includes biometric registration workstations for pilgrims, mobile work units, and upgraded infrastructure to expedite entry procedures across all ports in line with the authority's operational plan. Upgraded permit platform Moquim said SDAIA has upgraded the unified digital platform for Hajj permits, 'Tasreeh', launched by the Ministry of Interior. The platform, integrated with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's 'Nusuk' platform, enables domestic and international pilgrims, workers, volunteers, and transport vehicles to obtain and display entry permits for Makkah and the holy sites. He added that the national 'Tawakkalna' app now allows users to view all types of Hajj permits through direct integration with the Tasreeh platform. 'This feature simplifies access to permits from all government bodies involved in Hajj,' Moquim said. The app also offers emergency services such as 'Esafni' (Rescue Me), allowing pilgrims to request urgent medical or safety assistance with a few simple steps. With its wide range of integrated services, Tawakkalna plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims throughout their journey. Smart operations for crowd management The Saudi AI Authority is rolling out a series of innovative tech solutions to streamline the Hajj experience, with its Smart Makkah Operations Center (SMART MOC) playing a central role in coordinating real-time systems and platforms supporting millions of pilgrims. Located in the holy city of Makkah, the SMART MOC is one of the core operational pillars underpinning the government's digital infrastructure for Hajj. The center monitors and manages the advanced systems deployed by SDAIA throughout the Hajj season and year-round, Moquim said. 'The SMART MOC is helping raise the quality of digital services offered to pilgrims,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat, noting that the center boosts crowd control and security coordination across the holy sites. AI-Powered crowd monitoring A key feature of the center is the Baseer platform, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. It uses advanced AI algorithms and real-time data processing to detect and analyze crowd density and distribution within the Grand Mosque and its surroundings. Baseer's computer vision tools allow authorities to pinpoint overcrowded zones, such as the Tawaf area, moment by moment. The platform provides highly accurate, real-time data that supports mobility planning and enables authorities to take swift action to prevent overcrowding or stampedes, ensuring the highest safety standards for pilgrims during the Hajj. Smart surveillance integration The operations center also incorporates cutting-edge platforms, such as Sawaher and Sawaher Qiyada, both developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. These platforms deliver intelligent analytics of live security camera feeds across the holy sites and access points, enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency. By analyzing vast amounts of live surveillance data, the system supports instant decision-making and bolsters field-level coordination. SDAIA says the platform's ability to integrate big data analytics with real-time video monitoring plays a crucial role in maintaining security and operational readiness across the Hajj landscape. Ehsan platform expands charitable services during Hajj Saudi Arabia's Ehsan platform is expanding its presence during this year's Hajj, offering a wide range of charitable services and initiatives aimed at maximizing social impact and supporting pilgrims through acts of giving. Moquim said Ehsan plays a key role in addressing the diverse needs of pilgrims by providing opportunities for donations and participation in community-focused projects. Among its key offerings this season is a sponsorship program for pilgrims who have never performed Hajj, allowing donors to contribute to fulfilling the dreams of those unable to afford the journey. The platform also facilitates initiatives to feed pilgrims and provide clean drinking water at the holy sites. In partnership with the Kingdom's Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi (Adahi), Ehsan supports the sacrificial offering program by enabling pilgrims and donors to authorize the platform to perform their animal sacrifices on their behalf. The sacrifices are then distributed to eligible recipients in accordance with Islamic requirements, safely, securely, and on time.
Malay Mail
07-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Tariff terrorism': Bollywood fears Trump's 100pc tax could derail overseas box office
Indian filmmakers are bracing for higher costs and reduced profits after Trump proposed a 100 per cent tariff on foreign films. Industry leaders warn that the tariff could hurt both theatrical releases and outsourced post-production work in India. The move may push more Indian films towards digital platforms as US distributors grow wary of rising costs. NEW DELHI, May 7 — India's film industry, which earns roughly 40 per cent of its overseas revenue from the United States, sounded the alarm this week about higher costs after President Donald Trump threatened a tariff of 100 per cent on all movies produced beyond American soil. Film makers, producers and distributors in one of the world's largest film industries by output struggled to weigh the likely impact of such a tariff as Trump provided scant details, stirring more questions than answers. 'The real question is how the term 'foreign produced' will be defined, and until that's clear, it's hard to say anything,' said film maker Anubhav Sinha, known for his Netflix streaming series, 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'. 'It's not yet clear whether services like post-production will be affected.' India's film industry employs 272,000 people, with overseas box office takings of about 20 billion rupees (RM1 billion) in fiscal 2024, or a tenth of total earnings, Deloitte and studio grouping the Motion Picture Association said in a report. Key Hollywood films with India scenes are Oscar-winners such as the rags-to-riches tale 'Slumdog Millionaire', and the Osama bin Laden manhunt thriller, 'Zero Dark Thirty', along with rom-com 'Eat, Pray Love', and Batman outing 'The Dark Knight Rises'. In the absence of details on the planned levy, film producers worry it could double the cost of exporting their films to the United States, where people of Indian descent are estimated to number 5.2 million. 'The United States is one of the most important overseas markets for Indian cinema, largely due to the substantial diaspora,' said producer Madhu Bhojwani, reponsible for hits such as 'Airlift', on workers evacuated from Kuwait during the Gulf War. 'Any increase in ticket prices resulting from these tariffs would directly affect audience turnout, compounding the challenges posed by evolving consumer behaviour and broader industry headwinds.' The cost-effective South Asian nation has also grown in stature as Hollywood's preferred hub for on-ground production and post-production services, especially in visual effects, since it offers a skilled talent pool. 'Almost 10 to 15 (foreign) movies are shot in India every year, and our movie industry will be impacted very badly,' said film trade analyst Komal Nahta. Likely hit to revenue Prominent Indian actor and producer Prakash Raj called Trump's move 'tariff terrorism'. If the tariff covers post-production services, the consequences will be bigger, added Bhojwani, the co-founder of Emmay Entertainment and Motion Pictures. 'We can expect a potential decline in outsourced work from US studios to Indian vendors, which could have notable implications for the Indian media services sector,' she said. 'If revenue from the US drops, it could affect budget planning and profitability for Indian production houses,' said Pradeep Dwivedi, chief executive of Eros International Media . 'Big-budget films counting on overseas revenue could be restructured or scaled back.' The move will also hurt smaller releases in the United States. 'Even a 30 per cent drop in revenue for such mid-scale movies would be a significant dent,' said Raj Kandukuri, producer of a well-regarded film, 'Pelli Choopulu', in India's southern language of Telugu. 'There are a sizeable number of students in the United States who watch movies, they will not spend high on ticket prices.' The planned levy might also drive a broader shift to digital platforms. 'US distributors might be less inclined to pick up Indian titles due to the increased cost,' Dwivedi said. 'This could result in fewer screens, smaller releases, and a shift toward digital platforms instead of theatrical. The tariff would likely accelerate a move toward direct-to-digital releases on platforms like ErosNow, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. — Reuters
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A Founder's Guide To Protecting Digital Platforms From Unnecessary Risks
'Bulletproof Your Marketplace' by Jeremy H. Gottschalk is released with Forbes Books. NEW YORK (May 6, 2025) — Bulletproof Your Marketplace: Strategies for Protecting Your Digital Platform by Jeremy H. Gottschalk is available today on Amazon. The book is published with Forbes Books, the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes. Online marketplace and digital platform leaders spend incalculable time and energy growing and scaling their businesses. However, as Jeremy Gottschalk has seen too often, many overlook a crucial factor for long-term success—mitigating the risks, liabilities, and legal exposures that could lead to failure. In Bulletproof Your Marketplace , Gottschalk—an attorney and marketplace trust and safety expert—offers a comprehensive resource for founders and executives seeking to protect their businesses from regulatory pitfalls and security threats. Expanding on learnings from his Marketplace Risk conferences, Gottschalk's book is the key to building more defensible, resilient and legally sound digital platforms. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of: ● The risks that marketplaces and digital platforms face ● Legal strategies and contractual defenses to shield their business from liability ● Best practices for trust and safety, terms of use, privacy policies and regulatory compliance ● Methods to prevent costly litigation and safeguard their platforms from legal threats Whether launching a startup or managing a large-scale marketplace, Bulletproof Your Marketplace can help ensure your business thrives while staying protected from needless risks. This release is posted on behalf of Forbes Books (operated by Advantage Media Group under license). About the Author Jeremy Gottschalk is the foremost expert on marketplace and digital platform trust and safety, risk management, and legal strategy. An attorney with more than twenty years of experience representing marketplaces and digital platforms, he is the former General Counsel for the online marketplace Sittercity and the founder and CEO of Marketplace Risk ( the premier resource for education, networking, and collaboration for marketplaces and digital platforms worldwide. A fierce advocate for the platform ecosystem, Jeremy is the founder and executive director of the Marketplace Industry Association. About Forbes Books Founded in 2016 in partnership with Advantage Media Group, Forbes Books is the exclusive book publishing imprint of Forbes Media. Forbes Books offers business and thought leaders a way to share their ideas and expertise with the world. Authors are carefully vetted to ensure their stories and insights align with the Forbes mission of driving success through innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. For more information, visit
