Emirates is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle its persistent water scarcity issues, gathering experts at the recent International Rain Enhancement Forum held at Abu Dhabi to explore innovative solutions. Over the years, countless scientific studies and millions of dollars have been spent trying to solve the problem of generating precipitation in one of the most arid regions of the world. Despite these efforts, rain remains elusive for the UAE, where the population's demand for water continually increases, predominantly driven by expatriate growth.
One innovative approach discussed at the forum highlighted the potential of AI to improve cloud seeding, which is the practice of injecting salt or other chemicals to stimulate rainfall from clouds. According to Luca Delle Monache, deputy director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, “The AI system is almost ready; we are now doing the finishing touches.” This advancement aims to increase rainfall by 10% to 15% by effectively identifying the right clouds to treat.
Cloud seeding has been used by the UAE for decades, but its effectiveness largely depends on the correct application of the method on appropriate cloud types. Delle Monache noted, “It must be applied at the right place and at the right time, which is why we are using artificial intelligence.” This project will utilize satellite, radar, and weather data to create algorithms capable of locating suitable clouds for seeding within six hours.
The UAE typically experiences annual rainfall of only about 100 millimeters, making it heavily reliant on desalinated water, with plants providing around 14% of the world’s supply. With about 10 million residents — 90% of them expatriates — the population has surged 30 times since the UAE's founding. Urban centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi concentrate this growing demand for water.
Interestingly, the topic of artificial rain has become culturally fascinating too, as rain is so rare it has turned certain parts of the UAE, like “Raining Street” in Dubai, where visitors pay to walk under artificial rain, almost like a tourist attraction. Interestingly, local officials sometimes call on citizens to pray for rain during dry spells.
While rainfall remains sporadic, it can be intense when it does occur. April 2024 saw storms causing significant disruption, including the closure of Dubai International Airport, with excessive rain challenging the country’s infrastructural resilience.
Since the establishment of the Rain Enhancement Forum back in 2017, funding has reached $22.5 million to assist projects aimed at boosting precipitation. Luca Delle Monache praised the UAE’s efforts stating, “For cloud seeding, this program is the best in the world.” Experts like Marouane Temimi from Stevens Institute of Technology also shared AI applications, emphasizing real-time storm monitoring systems developed to detect weather patterns accurately.
Yet, the experts expressed caution about the adoption of AI technologies. Temimi highlighted the necessity for comprehensive data collection on cloud composition - often hampered by the high costs of monitoring equipment - for accurate predictions. “We still have much work to do because we have data, but not enough to feed the AI models correctly,” he elaborated.
Loic Fauchon, president of the World Water Council, urged to balance the use of artificial intelligence with human expertise, indicating the importance of prudence. “Be cautious. Try to find the right balance between artificial intelligence and human intelligence,” he advised, recommending to avoid rapid dependence on AI.