Mongolia Uses AI to Protect Traditional Naadam Horse Racing

This year’s Naadam offered a quieter version of one of Mongolia’s oldest debates. The argument over crossbred horses was less visible than in previous years, partly because organisers introduced an artificial intelligence system to measure racehorses’ shoulder height more accurately and transparently.

Naadam horse racing (https://newswire.mn/)

The system uses five cameras to determine a horse’s wither height in 30 to 40 seconds, displaying results immediately and reducing human involvement in a process that has long been politically sensitive. Horses that fail the height requirements are separated before registration, while qualifying horses proceed to competition.

Technology has made enforcement easier. It has not settled the deeper question: what makes a horse Mongolian?

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