How AI is driving the future of clean water and energy at WETEX 2026

On the second day of Dubai's Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), artificial intelligence was the primary focus of discussion. While AI currently consumes large amounts of water and electricity, the consensus was that it should not be abandoned but rather used to generate new solutions. The key question was how AI could be designed specifically to improve energy and water systems rather than exacerbate them.

Key challenges at the event included the speed of AI deployment and the pace at which infrastructure could be built to support it. At a roundtable discussion, PwC Middle East's Wissam Mahfouz emphasized that AI enhances human capabilities. He noted that certain models allowed him to run analyses that previously took one to two weeks in just two to three hours, without replacing his role.

Lucy Electric showcased a system called Synapse that monitors underground power cables, predicting failures before they occur. This allows utility companies like DEWA to perform preventive maintenance instead of dealing with unplanned shutdowns. Sunten Electric Equipment Co, another exhibitor, is investing in research and development of transformers designed for AI data center requirements, aligning with the clean energy alignment between AI and renewable energy sources.