Wilo Industry Conference in Venice: AI innovations for a “European water transition”

Water technology group organises high-level exchange format

Venice. Under the title of “Water – Shaping the Future”, leading representatives from the science, political and business sectors gathered together in Venice for the annual Wilo industry conference. Invited to attend by the multinational water technology group, various experts discussed the key challenges they face in dealing with this increasingly scarce resource and the ways in which they could respond to them. Exchanges primarily focussed on the role of artificial intelligence in solving the water crisis and on the EU Blue Deal. The industry conference was organised in cooperation with the European Water Association (EWA).

“Water shortage has been a European problem for a long time and the European Union must ultimately face up to the truth of the matter. This means viewing the water infrastructure as being every bit as critical as the defence and energy infrastructure”, explains Oliver Hermes, President & Global CEO of the Wilo Group. “It is only by having in place an effective water strategy and using the Blue Deal as an implementation instrument that we will be able to have a successful and long overdue European water transition.” Peter Glauner, Regional CEO of Wilo Europe, also added: “Only once these political ambitions have been initiated, can they be effectively leveraged through technological innovations in the European water industry.”

Water shortages: AI revolution brings “significant opportunities”

In addition to key notes from Wilo management and from Pietro Francesco De Lotto, a member of the European Economic and Social Committee, the conference agenda included an expert talk by Tommaso Ghidini, Head of Mechanical Department at the European Space Agency (ESA). A panel discussion also took place, allowing leading representatives of the water industry to have their say, including experts from Wilo, Siemens and Emerald Technology Ventures. “What we have heard clearly illustrates the fact that the AI revolution offers significant opportunities in terms of the challenges associated with water shortages,” says Oliver Hermes.

Wilo's industry conference this year was also attended by the Wilo Group's top management team, who met in Venice for the International Meeting of General Managers (IMGM). The focus of the Group's annual management conference was also on artificial intelligence: WATER AI typifies Wilo's claim of being a pioneer within its industry in shaping the digital & AI age. Oliver Hermes: “We enable the AI value chain, implement AI in our products, systems and solutions and integrate AI into our daily work, all without losing sight of the value of people.”