Prof Jean-Marie Kileshye Onema believes that new skill sets and competencies are needed in water resource management.
How AI can help fill the gaps
Despite the progress made in terms of remotely acquired hydro-meteorological data sets, there is still a need for ground truthing and validation for the African continent.
Despite the progress made in terms of remotely acquired hydro-meteorological data sets, there is still a need for ground truthing and validation for the African continent.
"AI and machine learning are driven by data sets and high-performance computing abilities, supported by relevant human meta-competencies," explains Prof Onema.
He and researchers from across Africa and Europe recently investigated the need to foster the uptake of new and existing innovations for water and climate solutions. This calls for a systemic approach that reconsiders the traditional way of conducting capacity building.
The need to consider the enabling environment and governance under which such innovations and solutions were birthed is one of the aspects, he says.
Non-technological and technological advances, human and institutional capacity, as well as knowledge brokerage, were also identified as prerequisites for the optimal implementation of the concept of social innovation.
"AI and machine learning shows disruptive elements in the search for optimal hydrological assessment and water resources management that we cannot afford to ignore."
Prof Onema is of the view that although strides have been made towards capacity strengthening, the challenge for learning and training institutions is to focus more on skills acquisition.
"This calls for some serious reflective learning, taking into consideration the ever-increasing need for speed and knowledge-based approaches in the provision of water resources solutions." |