Can artificial intelligence help solve water challenges without creating new ones?
In episode two of Aquaholics, Kylie Johnson, Sarah Ransom, Professor Bradley Moggridge and Dr Andrew O'Neill examine the tension at the heart of the AI boom: AI can improve water management, but the data centres and energy systems behind it also place pressure on water, land and communities.
Featured guest Josh Weinberg, Senior Policy Advisor at the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, shares early findings from research commissioned by the Australian Water Partnership on AI and water in the Indo-Pacific. The discussion explores data-centre planning, direct and indirect water demand, environmental justice, community benefit-sharing and the need to involve water utilities and governments before infrastructure decisions are locked in.
The hosts also debate ethical AI, public access to environmental data and the role of human judgement. In the Water Cooler segment, Brad considers whether Western science is genuinely listening to Indigenous water knowledge or whether engagement remains tokenistic.
Aquaholics is an initiative of the Australian Water Partnership, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Josh Weinberg is Senior Policy Advisor at the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation. He contributes to collaborations with governments, intergovernmental organisations, civil society and United Nations agencies to integrate water more centrally into the global climate agenda. Before joining AGWA, he spent 15 years at the Stockholm International Water Institute working across water, climate and sustainability programmes.
· Alliance for Global Water Adaptation - Learn more about AGWA’s work on climate-resilient water management.
Kylie Johnson is Senior Manager, Partnerships and Communication at the Australian Water Partnership. Her career spans climate, water and communication across journalism, government and the not-for-profit sector.
Sarah Ransom is General Manager of the Australian Water Partnership. A former Australian diplomat and lawyer, she has worked across international development, governance, gender, community engagement and partnership brokering.
Professor Bradley Moggridge is a proud Kamilaroi man, Professor of Science and Associate Dean, Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, at the University of Technology Sydney. His work brings Indigenous knowledge, hydrogeology and water science into research, policy and environmental management.
Dr Andrew O'Neill is Chief Science and Sustainability Officer at Healthy Land & Water. He leads innovation and supports scientists and engineers working to improve South East Queensland's environment, connecting research, policy and practical action.
Send a question to Aquaholics: contact@waterpartnership.org.au
Australian Water Partnership enquiries: Contact AWP
Phone: +61 2 6206 8320
Address: UC Innovation Centre, Bruce ACT 2617, Australia
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