Perspective and Prospects on Applying Artificial Intelligence to Address Water and Environmental Challenges of 21st Century

Authors

WANG Xu, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Yangtze River Delta Branch, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yiwu 322000, China
WANG Zhaoyue, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
PAN Yirong, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
LUO Yuli, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
LIU Junxin, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
YANG Min, Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China

Keywords

sustainable development goals (SDGs); water security; water environment; water system; sustainable management; artificial intelligence (AI)

Document Type

Article

Abstract

One of the most pervasive challenges affecting human and planetary well-being is inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Problems with water are expected to become worse in the coming decades, with water scarcity occurring globally, in the face of ever-growing populations, intensive human activities, and climatic variation. Addressing the aforementioned water security has been achieved consensus and has been included into the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations' Agenda 2030. Despite these ample opportunities, it remains challenging to create reliable, sustainable, and affordable solutions to providing universal access to clean water and sanitation. In this context, the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be an attractive solution to help with this challenge. We summarized the core of the SDGs-Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and the problems encountered during the progress to date. Building upon which, we conducted a literature review and provided a state-of-the-art analysis of leveraging AI to help achieving SDGs-Goal 6 alongside the resultant impacts. Afterwards, we highlighted the key issues necessary to be tackled in the coming years if AI is expected to be well applied with its maximum benefits. Plus, we put forward the prospects of future efforts on this revolution.

First page

1163

Last Page

1176

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Recommended Citation

Xu, WANG; Zhaoyue, WANG; Yirong, PAN; Yuli, LUO; Junxin, LIU; and Min, YANG (2020) "Perspective and Prospects on Applying Artificial Intelligence to Address Water and Environmental Challenges of 21st Century," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 35 : Iss. 9 , Article 12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.20200530001
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol35/iss9/12