State of AI for Water: Where Are We Now? - Webinar

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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 Water Research Australia and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 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 – Physical AI for Water, bringing industry, researchers and AI expertise together to build capability and accelerate responsible AI adoption across the water sector.

Details

Date	Thursday, 1 October 2026
Time	1:00pm (Australia/Sydney; find your local time (opens in new tab))
Format	~40min presentation + 20min Q&A
Resources	Webcasts and other documents will be available here
Tags	AI

Register your interest: https://awschool.com.au/training/ai-for-water/

Presenters

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

Yang Liu

Queensland University of Technology

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

Panel Members

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.

State of AI for Water:
Where Are We Now?