AI technologies may be the answer to SA's water crisis

AI's real strength lies in its ability to process massive amounts of data

- LESTER GOLDMAN & ASHTON BUSANI MPOFU

SOUTH Africa is facing a growing water crisis. Climate change, ageing infrastructure, pollution, and unequal access are putting intense pressure on the country's water systems. As dams run low, taps run dry, and communities struggle, a powerful question arises: can artificial intelligence (AI) help us change course?

In the words of Nelson Mandela: "Massive poverty and obscene inequality... rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils."

These words echo louder today as millions of South Africans still live without reliable access to clean drinking water – despite rapid global advances in technology. The country loses nearly half its treated water to leaks, theft, and poor management. Meanwhile, the tools to fix these problems may already be within reach.

AI isn't just about robots and smart devices – it's about using data and machine learning to make smarter decisions, faster.

In the water sector, this means identifying leaks before pipes burst, forecasting droughts more accurately, preventing water pollution, and even improving how farmers irrigate their crops.

Across Africa, where similar water challenges persist, AI could be a game-changer, if deployed ethically and inclusively.

AI's real strength lies in its ability to process massive amounts of data. For water utilities, this can transform how systems are monitored and maintained.