Can AI solve water’s biggest challenges?

Описание: In this conversation, Bob Crossen interviews John Ikeda of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) about the organization’s evolving mission and strategic priorities for 2026. Ikeda outlines WEF’s three-pillar strategy—workforce, community, and circular economy—and discusses how artificial intelligence, data center water use, and global reuse targets are shaping the future of water. He also highlights the launch of the Water AI Nexus Center of Excellence, emerging innovation themes, and the need for new financing models to close infrastructure gaps. The conversation closes with reflections on WEF’s Operations Challenge and its growing public recognition.

Key highlights with timestamps
00:33 – WEF’s three strategic pillars: workforce, community, circular economy
01:45 – Launch of Water AI Nexus Center of Excellence
02:30 – AI’s role in water supply and data center sustainability
03:45 – Principles for sustainable water use in data centers
05:11 – Innovation themes for 2026: GenAI, PFAS, reuse
06:00 – Global reuse targets and UN water conference
07:05 – AI as both tailwind and headwind for utilities
08:20 – Political headwinds and cross-border collaboration
09:26 – Legacy knowledge transfer using AI tools
10:28 – Financing challenges and P3 opportunities
12:17 – Operations Challenge and public recognition

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