Artificial Intelligence key to strengthening water security in the GCC states: KISR
Regional workshop highlights AI’s role in sustainable water management
The Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan, said today that artificial intelligence has become a vital tool in transforming water challenges into development opportunities and converting data into precise decisions that support the sustainability of water resources.
Al-Humaidan made the remarks at the opening of the regional workshop titled “Artificial Intelligence for the Sustainable Management of Water Resources in GCC Countries”, held under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairman of KISR’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Nader Al-Jalal. The two-day workshop is organized by KISR in cooperation with regional and Arab scientific bodies.
He stressed that science and innovation are the gateway to the future, noting that artificial intelligence has become a fundamental component of modern water management due to its advanced capabilities in data collection, analysis, and high-accuracy forecasting.
Al-Humaidan highlighted the region’s growing challenges, including water scarcity, fluctuating rainfall, population growth, and expanding development needs, emphasizing that advanced technologies offer innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, planning, and water security.
He added that the workshop reflects KISR’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies and strengthening national capabilities, underlining that artificial intelligence is no longer optional but essential for building smart water systems capable of adapting to climatic and environmental changes.
Key topics addressed include national readiness for AI, digital sovereignty, data security, smart modeling, sustainable applications, and community awareness.
Representing the GCC Secretariat General, Dr. Mohammed Al-Rashidi described water as a strategic priority for GCC states due to its direct link to water and food security and sustainable development.
He noted that the Gulf Water Strategy, first launched in 2016, was updated this year to reflect regional and global developments, with artificial intelligence playing a vital role in improving efficiency, reducing losses, and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
Meanwhile, Engineer Hamad Al-Hatmi, President of the Gulf Water Science and Technology Association, said the workshop builds on the outcomes of the 15th Gulf Water Conference held in Doha in April 2024 and will contribute to preparations for the 16th conference scheduled in Oman in 2026. He highlighted the role of digital transformation and AI in addressing rising demand for limited freshwater resources.
Dr. Abdulmajid Bin Amara, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils, said the workshop brings together leading scientists to explore AI applications in water management through big data analysis and predictive modeling. He praised Kuwait’s role, through KISR, in supporting Arab scientific cooperation initiatives.
Chairman of the workshop’s organizing committee, Dr. Mohammed Al-Rashed, said the event aims to strengthen collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders and to develop practical strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into water management systems across the GCC, stressing that AI has become a strategic necessity for ensuring water sustainability and security.
— KUNA
