- The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has installed interactive robots and AI technology at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition in Makkah
- The robots answer questions and give directions in more than 90 languages through touchscreens
- The 46th edition includes 334 contestants from 133 countries and, for the first time, a women’s division
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has brought interactive robots and artificial intelligence technology to the venue of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition, held at Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Makkah.
How the Robots Help Visitors
The robots use interactive touchscreens to give participants and visitors information about the competition schedule, event locations, and other services. They can answer questions in more than 90 languages, making it easier for contestants and guests from different countries to find what they need without waiting for staff assistance.
About the 46th Edition
This year’s competition is the first in its history to include a women’s division. It has 334 contestants from 133 countries, made up of 202 male contestants and 132 female contestants. The event runs under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The competition has five categories:
- Full Quran with Seven Qira’at
- Full Quran with Tafsir
- Full Quran memorization
- 15 Juz’ memorization
- 5 Juz’ memorization
Prize Pool Growth
Over the past eight years, the number of winners has grown from 12 to 50, and the total prize pool has increased from SAR 4 million to SAR 10.26 million (about $2.73 million).
The Ministry also uses an electronic judging system for the competition to help keep scoring accurate and transparent.
