From the Editor’s Desk |


future without losing the human touch


A smarter A 4 | May 2025 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


rtificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s here, and its reshaping industries across the board. This includes the hydropower and dams industry, which is now leveraging AI to enhance


efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The implications on AI are enormous, but so is the need for balance. As we integrate intelligent systems into hydropower operations, it’s crucial to understand not only the benefits but also why human expertise remains irreplaceable. AI’s potential in hydropower begins with its ability


to analyse massive datasets in real-time. Hydrological modelling, predictive maintenance, flood forecasting, sedimentation analysis – these are complex tasks traditionally reliant on extensive human interpretation and time-consuming processes. With AI, particularly machine learning models, these tasks can be executed faster and more accurately. For example, predictive models can forecast equipment failures before they occur, reducing downtime and improving overall operational efficiency. AI-driven simulations can also help optimise water release strategies to maximise electricity output while balancing ecological concerns. One of the most compelling advantages is in dam safety. Dams are aging infrastructure, and regular inspection is both critical and resource-intensive. AI- powered image recognition tools can analyse drone footage to detect cracks, erosion, or other signs of structural weakness that might go unnoticed. These systems enhance safety by acting as an early warning system, flagging potential issues before they escalate into costly or dangerous failures. AI also opens new doors in energy forecasting and


integration with renewable energy grids. With climate change contributing to more erratic weather patterns, predicting inflows and balancing electricity demand with fluctuating water availability is increasingly


complex. AI algorithms can model these uncertainties, helping operators make smarter decisions and enabling better integration with solar and wind power sources, supporting a more resilient and flexible energy grid.


But amid all this progress, let’s be clear: AI is a tool,


not a replacement. It augments human decision- making, not substitutes it. While machines excel at data processing and pattern recognition, they lack the nuanced judgement, ethical reasoning, and field experience that seasoned engineers, hydrologists, and dam operators bring to the table. AI may tell us what might happen, but humans still need to decide how to act. Moreover, the transition to AI must be inclusive and transparent. Upskilling the workforce is essential, not just to operate these systems, but to guide their development and ensure that they align with real- world needs. Ethical considerations, local knowledge, and community engagement are all elements that AI alone cannot account for. In short, the rise of AI in hydropower is not a threat – it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to modernise, to increase safety, to enhance sustainability, and to unlock new efficiencies. But it’s also a call to action: to embrace innovation while doubling down on the value of human insight. The smartest future for hydropower is one where humans and machines work not in competition, but in collaboration.


Carrieann Stocks


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