At the AI Meetup NRW “AI & Water” on November 18, 2025, interested parties from local authorities, the water industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, and research and teaching came together at the Weser Renaissance Museum in Schloss Brake to discuss sustainable AI solutions. The event was jointly organized by KI.NRW, AICommunityOWL, inIT, and the AI Academy OWL. Prof. Dr. Markus Lange-Hegermann chaired the evening together with Monika Löber (KI.NRW) and Nissrin Heymann (Fraunhofer IOSB-INA) and presented the AI Academy OWL together with his research associates Nico Baumgart, Sebastian Becker, and Ruwen Fulek.
AI in water management: efficiency, forecasting, and safety
The presentations by the invited experts showed how AI is already being used in a wide variety of ways in water management today. Examples ranged from AI-supported optimization processes for energy-efficient waterworks to forecasting and simulation models and data-based methods for flood protection and early warning systems.
It became clear that AI can provide crucial support in both planning and operations—through more accurate predictions, more efficient use of resources, and greater resilience to extreme weather events. The topic met with great interest and provided ample opportunity for questions, exchange, and discussion.
Insights into the exhibition at Brake Castle
Beforehand, Prof. Dr. Markus Lange-Hegermann guided visitors through the exhibition “A Kind of Art” at Brake Castle. The inIT demonstrators were tried out immediately, sparking further discussions about current AI research and its potential applications.
Relevance to the region
The meetup highlighted how closely the topics of artificial intelligence and water management are linked – and how important open dialogue remains in order to further advance responsible AI applications.
“The high level of interest clearly shows how important practical AI offerings are. The AI Meetup NRW provides exactly the right framework for exchange, questions, and discussions,” says Prof. Dr. Markus Lange-Hegermann.