The technology offers a new tool for understanding camel behavior while supporting one of the region’s oldest traditional livelihoods.

The system was created by Professor Basem Shihada and his team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. According to the researchers, the goal was to build an affordable alternative to GPS collars and satellite tracking devices, which are often expensive and difficult for herders to maintain.

Using commercially available drones and basic camera equipment, the team collected aerial footage of small camel groups in different desert locations.

This footage was then used to train a machine-learning model that can recognize and follow camels in real time as they move across wide, open terrain.

KAUST scientist Chun Pong Lau said the AI model revealed consistent patterns in camel movement that were previously difficult to measure.

“We found that their migration patterns were not random but formed recognizable behavioral trends,” he explained while outlining the study’s results.

According to the researchers, older camels in particular displayed coordinated grazing behavior over long distances throughout the day.
Despite their wide movement range, the animals routinely returned to the herder’s camp by sunset, maintaining a regular daily rhythm.

The team noted that camels appeared highly sensitive to drone noise, especially at lower altitudes. For this reason, flights were kept at or above 120 meters to ensure minimal disturbance to the herds while still capturing clear visual data.

Camels have long played a central role in Arabian life, serving as a means of transport, a source of food, and an enduring symbol of cultural identity. Today, camel-related industries—including dairy, meat, racing, textiles and tourism—are valued at more than SR2 billion annually within the Kingdom.

Despite their importance, camel herding continues to bring significant challenges for those responsible for managing the animals. Camel herds may roam up to 50 kilometers a day, making it difficult for herders to track their movements and prevent incidents.

This wide mobility can result in loss of livestock, overgrazing of natural vegetation, and road accidents involving stray camels. The new AI system aims to reduce these risks by giving herders a practical tool to monitor their animals from above.

With real-time aerial tracking, herders can quickly determine the location, direction and spread of their herds. This could help prevent camels from approaching dangerous areas or wandering too far during daily grazing cycles.

In addition to helping herders, the system offers new possibilities for researchers studying camel ecology. The data gathered from drone flights can help identify long-distance movement habits, grazing routes, and social group behavior over extended periods.

The research team plans to expand the project by collecting video of larger and more diverse herds. By training the AI model with additional data, they aim to increase detection accuracy, especially in cases where camels differ in size, color or group density.

The next phase will also test the system in more challenging environments, including areas with complex terrain or vegetation. Such improvements may help adapt the technology for broader use, including wildlife monitoring and pastoral management in other regions.

According to the researchers, the ultimate objective is to offer camel herders a reliable, cost-effective and easy-to-operate tool. By reducing both labor and uncertainty, the system could support safer herding practices and better conservation of desert ecosystems.

The development represents a growing trend in the Kingdom toward integrating artificial intelligence into agricultural and environmental fields. As digital tools become more accessible, traditional sectors such as herding are beginning to adopt modern solutions to longstanding challenges.

For many herders, the system may provide a bridge between ancient desert practices and advanced technological capabilities.
By combining aerial monitoring with machine-learning analysis, it brings new efficiency to an occupation deeply rooted in regional culture.

The event, held at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), reflects the Kingdom’s growing prominence as a global hub for education, research, and innovation.

The three-day summit, themed “Universities as Agents of Change,” began on Tuesday and brought together more than 750 distinguished participants, including 105 keynote speakers representing 75 institutions across 28 countries.

The gathering convened leading university chancellors, presidents, and vice-chancellors, as well as decision-makers, industry experts, and academics from around the world.

The event serves as a platform to explore how universities can play a transformative role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Discussions focused on accelerating innovation, promoting sustainable development, strengthening global collaboration, and equipping students with the skills needed to lead in the 21st century.

Participants also exchanged insights on building inclusive education systems, advancing artificial intelligence, and creating solutions for future cities, healthcare, and climate resilience.

In his opening address, KAUST President Edward Byrne emphasized that hosting the summit in Saudi Arabia for the first time is a testament to the Kingdom’s growing leadership in science, technology, and higher education. He highlighted that KAUST continues to serve as a model institution that combines research excellence with real-world impact.

“Hosting this global summit demonstrates our shared vision for education as a catalyst for innovation and progress.

KAUST remains committed to advancing knowledge, empowering youth, and driving the transformative goals of Saudi Vision 2030,” Byrne said.

He added that the summit provides an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with international partners and strengthen the global exchange of ideas, paving the way for a more connected and innovative academic ecosystem.

Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer of Times Higher Education, commended the Kingdom’s progress in establishing itself as a global center of academic excellence.

He praised KAUST for its leadership and its mission-driven approach to supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in research, development, and innovation.

“This year’s summit has brought together some of the most influential voices in higher education to share ideas and address challenges that affect universities worldwide,” Baty said. “The fact that it is being held here in Saudi Arabia reflects the country’s remarkable journey toward becoming a leader in knowledge creation and sustainable innovation.”

The summit’s sessions delved into topics such as global competitiveness in education, research partnerships, digital transformation, and the evolving role of universities in shaping future economies. Attendees also examined how academic institutions can drive solutions for global priorities such as health, environmental sustainability, and social equity.

KAUST’s hosting of the summit underscores its reputation as one of the world’s top emerging universities and a key player in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.

The institution continues to champion cutting-edge research in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, marine science, and biotechnology — contributing significantly to the Kingdom’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.

By hosting the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself at the forefront of global dialogue on the future of education and innovation.

The event not only celebrates academic collaboration but also highlights the nation’s commitment to empowering the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders who will shape a more sustainable and prosperous world.

As the summit continues, the message from Riyadh and KAUST is clear — education remains the most powerful agent of change, and through collaboration and vision, universities can play a central role in creating a brighter, more connected global future.