How might we leverage AI Agents to elevate human expertise and co-create robust and resilient Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans that stand the test of the next 25 years?
Challenge
Planning activities for the mid and long term of the Drainage and Wastewater System is a monumental effort that requires orchestration between multiple stakeholders, analysis of vast and dispersed datasets, and simulations of future impacts of weather, population, and demand changes in existing and future assets.
Time and effort involved in this process results in high costs for Water Companies. Moreover, it is highly complex for humans to effectively manage vast datasets, address future uncertainties like climate change and population growth, and optimise investment decisions over a long planning horizon.
By harnessing the power of AI Agents to do complex tasks, we can empower people to collaboratively run analysis and simulations that can then be used for planning of capital investment, considering different layers of value provided to the environment and society.
Description
The sprint will focus on fostering a collaborative environment where AI Agents act as intelligent assistants, enhancing data analysis, scenario modelling, risk assessment, and report generation. Aligned with DWMP guidelines, we'll prioritize Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as a core component, alongside traditional hard-engineered solutions (HES). AI Agents will be instrumental in modelling and simulating diverse scenarios for both NBS and hard-engineered interventions, enabling comprehensive risk assessment and optimized investment decisions. This collaborative approach ensures we develop robust, evidence-driven plans that deliver environmental and societal benefits, fostering a future-proof and adaptable drainage and wastewater network.
How we will do it
During the sprint:
- Teams will be introduced to the DWMP process and explore challenges and barriers for generating the plan
- Teams will be introduced to technologies like Generative AI, AI/ML, remote sensing to understand potential applications to support regenerative practices
- Teams will reflect on the roles of AI Agents in augmenting human power
- Teams will elaborate on the value of NBS and HES interventions in catchments and value evolution over time
- Teams will ideate and build prototypes where multidisciplinary teams of people + AI Agents generate future plans
Target Outcomes
- Concepts and/or prototypes for an agentic system that can be used in the DWMP process
- A plan for integrating a new way of working into the planning process
Who will benefit from this sprint?
A varied group of attendees with mixed disciplines and backgrounds:
- Industry specific: research, background in water management, DWMP managers, policy, climate, vegetation, nature-based solutions experts
- Technical skills: genAI, creative technologists, design, ethnography, hydrology, simulations.
