Water 2050: A New Magic 8 Ball

Abstract

AWWA's Water 2050 initiative seeks to chart the future of water by focusing on five key drivers: sustainability, technology, economics, governance, and social and demographic issues. The goal is that by focusing on each driver, making connections between them, and taking intentional action now, the result will be better water for future generations. While each of the five drivers is integral to water's future, technology could have the greatest effect. It is advancing faster and faster. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of those fast-advancing technologies. It was also identified during the Water 2050 Technology Think Tank as key to transforming water services in 2050, specifically related to optimizing efficiency, improving operations, and strengthening water quality. I remember a term paper for my college philosophy class. I made the case that as society became dependent on technology, original knowledge would eventually be replaced by technology knowledge—the result being when technology mistakenly tells us 2 + 2 = 5, we will “know” it to be true. I now wonder if AI could be the technology I imagined. To find out, I (ironically) asked an AI technology called ChatGPT about water in 2050. Water is essential for life, but its availability and quality are increasingly threatened by population growth, climate change, and pollution. It is imperative that we adopt sustainable water management practices, such as reducing water waste, increasing water reuse, and promoting efficient irrigation methods. In addition, technological innovations . . . will play a crucial role in ensuring adequate and safe water supplies. In conclusion, the future of water in 2050 will depend on a combination of sustainable water management practices, technological innovations, and greater protection of water quality. It is imperative that we prioritize water management and conservation efforts now to ensure a secure and sustainable water supply for future generations. This mostly aligns with the Water 2050 conclusions. The last sentence includes one of our key points—taking steps now is critical to a better future because waiting for the future to come to us is not a strategy. In the year 2050, AI is expected to play a significant role in water services. Smart water management systems powered by AI will be able to optimize water usage, reduce waste, and detect leaks or other issues in real time. AI-powered sensors and monitoring systems will improve water quality and reduce the risk of contamination by providing early warning of potential threats. Interestingly, many aspects of this answer—optimizing water, detecting leaks, using sensors—again align with the recommendations included in the Water 2050 Technology Think Tank report. In 2050, the water utility workforce is expected to become more diverse and highly skilled, with a greater emphasis on technology and innovation. AI and automation will streamline operations, reducing the need for manual labor. However, highly trained technicians and engineers will still be necessary to operate and maintain advanced technologies. Again, ChatGPT mostly aligns with AWWA's think tank recommendations. My conversation with ChatGPT continued for some time. While it was fun, like using a modern-day Magic 8 Ball, it did not ease my concern—rather, it focused it. For one thing, ChatGPT does not actually think—the “A” does stand for artificial, after all. In fact, it told me “my responses are based solely on the input provided to me, and I may not always understand the context or intent behind a question.” Assuming AI does play an increasingly significant role in water services by 2050, knowledge organizations like AWWA must ensure true knowledge is available for AI technology to find. Remember, ChatGPT cannot evaluate context; it only provides access to what it finds, irrespective of whether it is right or wrong. The good news: ChatGPT agrees that 2 + 2 = 4.