Abstract - Cecilia Tortajada

Artificial Intelligence for Water-Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy Implications

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is an enabler for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including on clean water and sanitation for all.

AI provides the possibility for mapping, monitoring, improving surveillance, setting trends, enabling efficiency and helping to create products and services in the water sector. It also has the potential to provide information on important aspects of water quantity and quality that can support more robust management systems and inform policies. However, access of clean water and sanitation for billions of people in the developed and developing worlds require much more than data and information. It requires many other aspects: city governments that are able to set and sustain related-technology; decision makers that understand the context and implications of the information provided; legal and regulatory frameworks for the proper use of AI; formal and informal institutions that are robust, financially healthy and able to implement decisions taken; and skilled personnel who can work on AI-related activities and understand what the opportunities and limitations are in practical terms.

Not all cities will be able to implement AI and related technologies on water supply, sanitation and wastewater management or develop the necessary know-how to exploit its enormous potential. For those that are able to do it, they will still require policymakers that think more broadly and legal, regulatory, policy, institutional and financial frameworks that are robust. There is where the challenge remains.