The Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) and OpenAI have announced a collaboration aimed at using artificial intelligence to enhance global water management and improve the prediction of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, reports Korea JoongAng Daily.
The partnership focuses on several key initiatives, including the joint development of a large language model tailored for water-related applications, the creation of a climate change forecasting platform, and the design of an AI-based global water purification plant model.
The discussion took place on Thursday at the Westin Josun Hotel in central Seoul between K-water CEO Yun Seog-dae and OpenAI Vice President of Global Policy Chris Lehane. Both parties agreed to continue discussions to outline detailed action plans.
“Both organizations share a strong belief that water and AI should be safeguarded as universal resources for all, and we mutually saw the potential to make the world a safer place through cooperation,” Yun said.
K-water introduced its “AI First Strategy” in June, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence across its water management systems, including forecasting and response operations. The organization cited its six decades of experience in water management and the daily processing of over 7.4 billion data points as key strengths.
Last year, K-water became the first water service provider to receive the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network Award for its AI-powered water purification plant in Hwaseong. The company is also engaged in discussions to export digital twin technologies for flood prediction and dam operation to countries such as the United States and Japan.
OpenAI, which established its Korean branch in September, has been meeting with government and industry representatives to explore ways AI can support Korea’s digital transformation efforts in the public sector.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global population facing water stress — defined as having insufficient access to water resources — is projected to rise by 50 per cent by 2050. The global water industry is expected to reach 1.65 quadrillion won ($1.15 trillion) by 2029.
K-water and OpenAI stated that integrating AI and digital twin technologies with water disaster forecasting and response systems could play a critical role in developing sustainable solutions and driving future growth.
