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How AI could help mitigate the water crisis in Latin America

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Artificial intelligence could have some solutions applicable in Latin America to mitigate the impact of the water crisis experienced in Mexico and several Latin American countries – (Illustrative Image Infobae)

The growing concern about global water shortage has led international organizations to warn about the urgent need to adopt innovative measures. This water crisis has been more noticeable in recent months in Mexico, as not only have there been several periods of little or no rainy periods, but now it is also a problem that the dams no longer have water to supply the population.

In that sense, one of the solutions that is opening the way is to use artificial intelligence to improve water supply and sanitation systems. This technological advance promises not only to improve the efficiency and sustainability of these services, but also face the challenge of providing drinking water to more than 2.2 billion people that currently lack access.

The promise of AI in this sector lies in its ability to deliver practical solutions ranging from early leak detection to optimization of distribution networks. These technologies not only seek to guarantee a more efficient and lower cost service, but also address the critical problem of water stress, which according to the United Nations Organization (UN), will affect half of the world’s population by 2025.

Artificial intelligence can be implemented in the drinking water treatment and the sewage waterthis thanks to the optimization of the processes involved in these areas in order to reduce both costs and the energy used.

The water crisis already affects various places in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, among other Latin American countries. (WMF)

Techniques can also be applied Machine Learning either Deep Learning (which are part of AI) combined with physical models that help water sector managers plan strategies to address crisis situations.

And not only this, the application of Artificial Intelligence helps to forecast changes in weather patterns taking soil and water conditions as a reference. This represents a great opportunity to predict what the climate will be like in the future and thus be able to mitigate its effects.

The following list outlines the general applications of AI that can be implemented to eradicate the water crisis:

-Early detection of leaks and breakdowns

-Efficient water management

-Data analysis and informed decision making

CDMX is going through one of its worst water crises. (Anayeli Tapia/Infobae)

-Prediction of future water availability

-Early detection of water quality problems

-Optimization of agriculture and irrigation through AI

-Optimization and alternatives of resources for industries that consume more water

Some institutions and companies are already demonstrating how the application of artificial intelligence can benefit water management. For example, the use of advanced algorithms to analyze consumption patterns and adapt distribution in real time. Although these developments are promising, they also face challenges such as initial investment required and the need for specialized training for its correct implementation and maintenance. However, the potential benefits in terms of efficiency, cost savings and improved service quality make investing in AI an increasingly considered option.

One of the institutes that have already launched artificial intelligence plans to address water supply problems, as well as lack of rain, is the Tecnológico de Monterreysince it was one of the methods to face the severe drought that crossed Nuevo León in 2022 and 2023.

Now, with the problem that the Valley of Mexico is going through due to the lack of water in the Cutzamala system, Tec de Monterrey seeks to replicate and adapt a model based on artificial intelligence and data analysis that was successfully implemented in Monterrey localities. This approach, known as “Robust Decision Making“, allowed the Monterrey Water Master Plan face periods of water scarcity through computational models that evaluated various scenarios and future demands for the vital liquid.

Around the entire Mexican Republic, thousands of families have been affected by the lack of water. (Photo: Twitter)

The Decision Science Initiative of the School of Government and Public Transformation of the Tecnológico de Monterrey played a crucial role in developing long-term strategies during the Monterrey water crisis. Through data analysis and scenario modeling, it was possible to develop robust action plans to ensure the water supply. This method is not only limited to water management, but is also applied in areas such as climate policy and economic developmentgenerating technological tools that facilitate evidence-based decision making.

Edmundo Molina, leader of the Decision Science Initiative, explains that the application of this model in Mexico City could address the complexity and scale of the water problem, offering a methodology that allows anticipating and responding to various future scenarios. The ability of this approach to identify strategies that work under a wide range of conditions makes it a viable option for addressing uncertainty and securing long-term water supplies in the world’s sixth most populous city.

In general, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the water sector not only represents a way to combat the scarcity of this vital resource, but also offers a perspective on sustainable and efficient solutions for the future.



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