The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) is implementing a capacity-building programme targeting young Saudi professionals working in the water sector. The programme comprises eight training courses focused on integrated water resources planning and management, as well as the applications of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) for water management, aiming to train 150 participants from various Saudi water authorities. The training programme seeks to contribute to the sustainability of water resources and ensure a secure water future by investing in national talents and enhancing institutional empowerment efforts.

As part of this programme, an academic team from AGU’s Environmental and Life Sciences Centre and the Department of Computing delivered the first training course entitled “Applications of Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Water Resources Management” from September14–17, 2025, with the participation of 20 young Saudi professionals from different water-related sectors.

The academic team delivered the course in an interactive format combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. The training covered key issues and challenges facing the water sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and explored potential solutions. It highlighted the role of emerging technologies, such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, quantum computing and smart geographic information systems, in contributing to these solutions, while showcasing best regional and global practices in this field and explaining the data requirements and sound methodologies needed for effective implementation.

Prof. Waleed Khalil Zubari, Professor of Water Resources at AGU and the course coordinator and trainer, stated: “This partnership and the associated training workshops represent a scientific collaboration to qualify cadres capable of ensuring a sustainable water future. It is an important practical step towards building the capacities of professionals from Saudi Arabia and other GCC states in emerging technologies, particularly AI and its various applications, which enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the water sector. These technologies are increasingly and rapidly being integrated into the sector for analysis, optimisation, forecasting and guidance.”

He added: “In this and upcoming workshops, we are moving from theory to practical implementation, equipping the participants, who represent the future leaders of the water sector, with the necessary tools to implement smart, sustainable and resilient water resources management systems, thereby contributing to securing our future water safety.”

This collaboration comes as part of AGU’s partnership with Gulf governmental agencies to support sustainable development, facilitate knowledge transfer and enhance the efficiency of national cadres in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. The training was delivered by Prof. Zubari, Professor of Water Resources and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, Education and Administrative and Technical Sciences at AGU, Prof. Adel Bouhoula, Head of the Department of Computing and Professor of Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence at AGU, Dr Al Shibani, Associate Professor in Digital Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence in the United Kingdom, and Dr Manaf Al Khuzaai, Postdoctoral Researcher specialising in GIS applications, Artificial Intelligence and Modelling.

The training workshop was designed to address the unique water challenges of the region by equipping participants with advanced skills in emerging technologies. It included hands-on sessions led by experts from AGU and global specialists in water and computing, with a focus on the practical application of AI, GeoAI (geospatial artificial intelligence), IoT, blockchain and quantum computing. The workshop concluded with a strategic forum during which participants developed applicable proposals and action plans to address water challenges in their workplaces using emerging technologies.