UAE to focus on AI’s demand for water at UNGA

The UAE is preparing a report on AI’s water demands ahead of the UN Water Conference, which it will co-host with Senegal in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10.

UAE Ambassador to the UN Mohamed Abushahab told The National that the report, called Crosscurrents, will examine the water AI requires, ways the technology could help address water challenges, and innovations that could reduce its own demand.

The UAE will use this week’s UN General Assembly meetings in New York to encourage countries to develop new water initiatives before the conference.

“There are solutions also, but they require innovation, finance, they require international co-operation,” Abushahab said.

The ambassador also called for wider access to AI in developing countries. He said safeguards should be shaped by a “multi-stakeholder partnership” involving governments, companies, academia and civil society, and suggested AI could help the UN model where humanitarian needs may emerge.