With the threat of climate change adding to the Mena region’s water scarcity problem, there are mounting challenges and opportunities for artificial intelligence to play a crucial role in delivering effective solutions.
An estimated 3.5 billion people are expected to be living in water-scarce regions by 2025, and the role of AI in addressing this and other serious environmental problems in the coming years will be crucial.
The problems we face are highlighted in the Mena region, which has 7 per cent of the world’s population but only 1 per cent of its freshwater resources. Meanwhile, across 25 Mena countries, about 83 per cent of the population of 500 million people uses more than 80 per cent of the renewable water supply.
The imbalance between high water demand and limited supply poses a serious hurdle, but AI is already helping – and the big hope must be that future technological advancements can prevent a serious crisis.
For AI innovators and startups aiming to play their part, the size of the task ahead is as daunting as it could be ultimately rewarding. A World Bank report has said that, by the end of this decade, the amount of water available per capita annually in the Mena region will slide below the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic metres per person, per year.
The study estimates that by 2050, an additional 25 billion cubic metres of water per year will be needed to meet the region’s needs. That is equivalent to building 65 desalination plants the size of Ras Al Khair plant in Saudi Arabia, the largest in the world.
In the UAE, AI is driving sustainable initiatives in water management, disaster response and agriculture
Ratings agency S&P Global recently issued a warning that water stress from rising temperatures and demand is already above globally recommended sustainability thresholds across the GCC nations. Meanwhile, research by PwC, commissioned by Microsoft, estimates that using AI for environmental applications could contribute up to $5.2 trillion to the global economy in 2030, a 4.4 per cent increase relative to business as usual.
It is in desalination, a critical water source, that the Mena benefits of AI could be felt most, as the technology is employed to make the desalination process more energy-efficient and cost-effective. This is a vital factor in a region that needs to dramatically reduce dependence on oil for desalination in order to reduce carbon emissions, while at the same time, meeting a rising demand for water.
The issue is clearest in Saudi Arabia, which aims to grow its current population of 32.2 million to 100 million by 2040. By 2010, Saudi desalination plants were already reportedly using 1.5 million barrels of oil a day, more than 15 per cent of today’s production. But Saudi Arabia is already making big strides in the right direction, investing heavily in AI to enhance the efficiency of desalination plants, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
In 2019, the Kingdom launched the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority that aims to drive the data and AI agenda, and it has set out to attract investments worth $20 billion and train up to 20,000 data and AI specialists by 2030. This can only be good news in the battle to clean up and simplify desalination, which makes freshwater from seawater through a complicated process involving filtering, removing salt and adding minerals.
Machine learning currently analyses data to predict and solve problems. Ongoing enhancements in AI algorithms will improve optimisation, decreasing the environmental impact of desalination processes and making them more accessible for wider use.
We can expect the continued advancement of AI technologies to deliver more innovative solutions for optimising water resource management, boosting efficiency in agriculture, and improving overall water sustainability.
Smart irrigation systems powered by AI will evolve to become more sophisticated, adapting in real-time to changing environmental conditions and ensuring precise water usage in agriculture. Additionally, AI-driven predictive models will enable proactive measures in addressing water quality issues and detecting potential infrastructure vulnerabilities.
In the UAE, AI is driving sustainable initiatives in water management, disaster response and agriculture. For instance, it is used in smart irrigation systems, such as the one in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, using real-time data to water plants at the best time to cut wastage. In disaster management, AI analyses various data sources for proactive measures, helping the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority to monitor weather conditions and give timely warnings.
It is also transforming the UAE’s agricultural sector. The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology has developed an AI-based agricultural monitoring system that uses satellite imagery and AI algorithms to assess crop health, detect pest infestations, and make sure water is used wisely.
AI-equipped drones play a role in reforesting areas, as highlighted by Abu Dhabi’s initiative to plant 1 million mangrove seeds. In addition, the technology can play a crucial role in scenario modelling and policy simulation. By predicting the impact of different policies on water resources, decision-makers can formulate strategies to mitigate water scarcity effectively.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority uses AI to analyse data for water management, studying past information and current trends to make smart decisions about water policies and infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute has been using AI for water quality monitoring. They study information from different sources, such as remote sensing and IoT devices, to give precise and timely details about water purity.
With its flourishing tech and business environment, the Mena region has experienced a significant rise in AI applications that are transforming our lifestyle and work dynamics.
According to PwC estimates, AI could contribute up to $320 billion to the Middle East economy by 2030. One of its primary goals, then, must be to eliminate water scarcity and effectively address other significant environmental challenges.
WORLD CUP FINAL
England v South Africa
Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
More on animal trafficking
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
%3Cp%3EThe%20Punishment%20of%20Luxury%3Cbr%3EOMD%3Cbr%3E100%25%20Records%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
