The Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence has released two resources designed to move artificial intelligence from pilot projects to everyday operations in water and wastewater systems — a new report and a professional training.
The new insight report, "Principles for AI and the Future of Work in Water: Building an AI-Empowered Water Workforce," lays out four principles centered on a worker-first approach to AI adoption. It tackles pressing challenges including looming labor shortages in the water sector, while making the case that AI should augment — not replace — the expertise of water professionals. Governance, public trust, accountability, safety, and transparency are all treated as non-negotiables, not afterthoughts.
Alongside the report, a new training course — AI 101 for Water Professionals — offers practical grounding in the Water-AI Nexus framework and responsible AI use. Built for professionals at all levels, the course equips teams to make confident, informed decisions about AI in their organizations.
Together, these resources reflect a clear message: the water sector can't afford to either ignore AI or adopt it carelessly. The goal is an AI-ready workforce that keeps human judgment at the center.
