State of AI for Water: Where Are We Now? - Australian Water School
23/10/2026

Video

State of AI for Water: Where Are We Now?

Exploring where AI is delivering value in the water sector today, and building the skills, trust and evidence needed for what comes next.

View More Videos

About

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how organisations work, but adoption across the water sector remains uneven. Where is AI already delivering real value, what is holding wider adoption back, and where are the greatest opportunities ahead?

Join Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Water Research Australia for an interactive discussion exploring the current and future state of AI in the water sector.

Our expert panel will explore practical applications of AI, the challenges around skills, data, governance and trust, and the potential to move from isolated AI tools towards smarter, connected water systems – while maintaining appropriate human oversight and accountability.

The webinar will also introduce QUT's proposed ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre – AI Adoption in Water, bringing industry, researchers and AI expertise together to build capability and accelerate responsible AI adoption across the water sector.

Share

Presenters

Yang Liu

Queensland University of Technology

Professor Yang Liu is Professor and Chair of Sustainable Water Technologies at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Her expertise spans environmental engineering, sustainable water technologies ... Read more

Dragan Savic

KWR Water

Professor Dragan Savić FREng is Chief Executive Officer at KWR Water based in the Netherlands and Professor of Hydroinformatics at the University of Exeter in the UK. Professor Savić is an internat... Read more

Neil Holmes

qldwater

Neil is a passionate advocate for the water industry with more than 25 years’ experience in advisory and consulting roles across the UK and Australia. His work spans local government, not‑for‑pr... Read more

Nicholas Ashbolt

Queensland University of Technology

Professor Nicholas Ashbolt is an internationally recognised environmental microbiologist and water researcher at QUT, specialising in integrated risk assessment and adaptive water governance. His work... Read more

Jonathan Roberts

Queensland University of Technology

Professor Jonathan Roberts is a Professor in Robotics at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Director of the Australian Cobotics Centre. He has more than 30 years’ experience in robotics a... Read more

Luke Shi

Queensland University of Technology

Dr Luke Shi is a Lecturer in Sustainable Urban Water Management at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specialising in smart and digital water systems. His research spans real-time monitoring a... Read more

David Bergmann

Water Research Australia

Dr David is the CEO of Water Research Australia, bringing nearly 25 years of experience in R&D across the chemicals, food, and water and wastewater sectors, from global multinationals to regional ... Read more

The discussion will explore:

  • Adopt – building AI literacy, workforce capability, trusted workflows and governance.
  • Discover – using AI to tackle complex engineering and scientific challenges.
  • Operate & Coordinate – supporting smarter plants, networks and decision-making under appropriate human oversight.
  • Where AI is already creating value and the opportunities ahead.
  • The skills, training and evidence the water sector needs to confidently adopt AI.

The webinar will include expert presentations, panel discussion, audience Q&A and live polling, providing an opportunity for the sector to help shape future AI training and research priorities.

Learn more about the proposed Centre:

The ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for AI Adoption in Water: https://aiwatercentre.netlify.app

 

Please complete the Expression of Interest form

 

Register for the upcoming 6th October (1-2pm, Sydney time) free Workshop:

https://www.waterra.com.au/EventDetail?EventKey=EOAITC 

Supported by:

       

Registration Locations:

Contact Us: +61 8 7424 2294 | [email protected]
awschool.com.au/training/ai-for-water/