{"version":"1","article":{"id":"saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open","slug":"saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open","language":"en","url":"https://haberpaper.com/en/news/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open?lang=en","title":"Saudi Arabia opens AI challenge for water-sector solutions","summary":"MEWA and partners invited applications to a Future Makers open-innovation challenge focused on efficiency, water losses and energy use, with submissions due by 4 October.","category":"energy","region":"world","topics":[],"published_at":"2026-10-05T02:55:20+03:00","modified_at":"2026-10-05T02:55:20+03:00","publication_basis":"publication-record","event_period":"2026-09-07","event_period_basis":"event-or-reference-period","sources":[{"name":"Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture","url":"https://www.mewa.gov.sa/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/mewa-future-makers-water-challenge.aspx","checkedAt":"2026-10-05","publishedAt":"2026-09-07"}],"translations":[{"language":"tr","url":"https://haberpaper.com/tr/news/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open?lang=tr"},{"language":"en","url":"https://haberpaper.com/en/news/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open?lang=en"},{"language":"ar","url":"https://haberpaper.com/ar/news/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/saudi-future-makers-ai-water-challenge-open?lang=ar"}],"data_types":[],"data":null,"data_compilations":[],"data_downloads":[],"content":{"paragraphs":["Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) announced the Future Makers: AI Challenge for Critical Sustainability on 7 September, seeking artificial-intelligence solutions to water-sector challenges. The programme is being delivered with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDI), and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). MEWA invited innovators, researchers, startups and technology teams from DCO member states to apply. The stated purpose is to develop and validate AI-enabled solutions that could strengthen water resilience. Applications were due to close on 4 October 2026. The ministry gave that date as the submission deadline; it did not identify it as a date for announcing winners or deploying selected solutions. The release marked the opening of an innovation challenge, rather than a procurement award or operational launch.","MEWA identified several areas the challenge is intended to address: improving water-system efficiency, reducing water losses and energy consumption, strengthening operational and resource efficiency, and advancing circular-economy practices. These priorities cover different parts of the water value chain. Applicants were invited to propose AI-enabled solutions capable of addressing the announced challenges. The ministry did not detail the technical scoring criteria, number of selected teams or amount of funding.","The challenge is being delivered through NexaBridge, the DCO’s open-innovation initiative. MEWA said the model connects real-world challenges with innovators and creates pathways for solutions to move from development towards the market. The Critical Sustainability challenge is the first activation of the Future Makers model, bringing together government priorities, research capabilities and cross-border innovation networks. Its purpose is to find applied responses to a defined public-sector need. Pilot locations and the details of support for commercialisation were not announced.","MEWA linked the challenge to Saudi Vision 2030 and national water priorities. The programme is intended to translate capabilities in digital transformation, sustainability and emerging technologies into improvements in resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. Water resilience depends on lowering losses and using operating resources efficiently as well as developing supply infrastructure. The call therefore connects water management with energy performance in a shared innovation agenda.","Innovators, research teams and technology startups from DCO member states were eligible. This cross-border scope is intended to connect a range of expertise with Saudi water-sector priorities. The announcement opened applications and set a deadline; it did not identify a winner or a technology already in use. Results can be assessed once selected teams and pilot outcomes are reported."],"key_points":[],"sections":[]},"text":"MEWA and partners invited applications to a Future Makers open-innovation challenge focused on efficiency, water losses and energy use, with submissions due by 4 October.\n\nSaudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) announced the Future Makers: AI Challenge for Critical Sustainability on 7 September, seeking artificial-intelligence solutions to water-sector challenges. The programme is being delivered with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDI), and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). MEWA invited innovators, researchers, startups and technology teams from DCO member states to apply. The stated purpose is to develop and validate AI-enabled solutions that could strengthen water resilience. Applications were due to close on 4 October 2026. The ministry gave that date as the submission deadline; it did not identify it as a date for announcing winners or deploying selected solutions. The release marked the opening of an innovation challenge, rather than a procurement award or operational launch.\n\nMEWA identified several areas the challenge is intended to address: improving water-system efficiency, reducing water losses and energy consumption, strengthening operational and resource efficiency, and advancing circular-economy practices. These priorities cover different parts of the water value chain. Applicants were invited to propose AI-enabled solutions capable of addressing the announced challenges. The ministry did not detail the technical scoring criteria, number of selected teams or amount of funding.\n\nThe challenge is being delivered through NexaBridge, the DCO’s open-innovation initiative. MEWA said the model connects real-world challenges with innovators and creates pathways for solutions to move from development towards the market. The Critical Sustainability challenge is the first activation of the Future Makers model, bringing together government priorities, research capabilities and cross-border innovation networks. Its purpose is to find applied responses to a defined public-sector need. Pilot locations and the details of support for commercialisation were not announced.\n\nMEWA linked the challenge to Saudi Vision 2030 and national water priorities. The programme is intended to translate capabilities in digital transformation, sustainability and emerging technologies into improvements in resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. Water resilience depends on lowering losses and using operating resources efficiently as well as developing supply infrastructure. The call therefore connects water management with energy performance in a shared innovation agenda.\n\nInnovators, research teams and technology startups from DCO member states were eligible. This cross-border scope is intended to connect a range of expertise with Saudi water-sector priorities. The announcement opened applications and set a deadline; it did not identify a winner or a technology already in use. Results can be assessed once selected teams and pilot outcomes are reported.","corrections":[],"editorial_illustration":{"kind":"symbolic-editorial-illustration","documentary":false,"scope":"section","asset_id":"energy","url":"https://haberpaper.com/assets/illustrations/energy-1536.webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"alt":"Symbolic energy landscape with solar panels, wind turbines and transmission lines.","language":"en"},"section_illustration":{"kind":"symbolic-editorial-illustration","documentary":false,"scope":"section","asset_id":"energy","url":"https://haberpaper.com/assets/illustrations/energy-1536.webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"alt":"Symbolic energy landscape with solar panels, wind turbines and transmission lines.","language":"en"}}}