Indian startups are implementing artificial intelligence technologies to optimize water resource management, which allows for saving millions of liters of water daily. These companies are working on improving the operation of treatment facilities and detecting leaks.
Digital Paani, founded in 2020 by Mansi Jain and Rajesh Jain in Gurugram, enhances the efficiency of treatment and sewage facilities using AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and automation. Specialized sensors collect real-time data, and over 75 algorithms enable the detection of malfunctions, prediction of failures, and automation of processes before serious problems arise. The company processes over 90 million liters daily across 14 states, reducing operational costs for enterprises by 25–35% and increasing water reuse rates from 45% to 80%.
WEGoT, launched in 2015 by Abilash Haridas, Vijay Krishna, Mohammed Mohidin, and Sundeep Dontamsetti in Chennai, focuses on identifying hidden water losses in buildings. Its Aqua and VenAqua meters, supported by IoT, use ultrasonic sensors to track water consumption with an accuracy of over 98%, including tracking individual drops. Real-time monitoring panels signal leaks, compare consumption, and automate billing. This platform has helped save 6 billion liters in residential and commercial properties.
Nimble Vision, created in 2017 by Chinmay Mat and Vaishali Mat in Bangalore, applies AI and IoT to manage water supply systems, sewage networks, and urban infrastructure. Its product Ni Water Saviour tracks reservoir levels and consumption in real time, helping users prevent overflows, reduce losses, and monitor usage via a mobile application. Furthermore, the startup offers Smart Manhole Monitor devices and the Ni Platform for data-driven monitoring of municipal and sewage infrastructure.
Agua, launched in 2019 by Dr. Rohit Naray from Bangalore, was developed to combat urban water scarcity caused by leaks, overflows, poor control, and inefficient billing. Agua's AI-enabled smart meters track consumption in real time, detect leaks, automate well operations, and ensure transparent billing. Implementing this system has reduced water consumption by 35%. In over 450 apartments in Bangalore, the platform has lowered monthly bills by more than 55%, demonstrating that smarter water management contributes to the preservation of both water resources and funds.
Authors of the 2026 Global Development Report, published by the World Bank Group, concluded that artificial intelligence can become a key factor in accelerating economic growth in developing countries. However, realizing this potential requires timely investments in energy supply, digital infrastructure, specialist training, and the development of state institutions.
According to the report, provided adequate government policies are implemented, AI will allow developing economies to achieve in a decade the level of development that would normally take about a century. Nevertheless, delays in addressing existing infrastructure problems and institutional constraints could lead to a deepening of the technological gap between nations.
The World Bank notes that the risk of job automation by generative AI in high-income countries is more than three times higher than in low- and middle-income countries. While 14.2% of jobs in developed economies are susceptible to potential automation, this figure stands at 4.5% in developing countries.
Despite this, the potential for productivity gains remains high. In developing countries, AI can boost the efficiency of 16.2% of jobs, which is only slightly lower than the rate in developed nations, where this figure is estimated at 18.7%. The study's authors believe that the main effect of technology adoption for most developing economies will be increased productivity, rather than mass layoffs.
Indimit Gill, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank Group, emphasized that countries do not necessarily need to create their own large language models or build large-scale data centers to benefit from AI. In his view, using small, accessible AI solutions adapted to local conditions can expand access for millions of people to medical, educational, judicial, and agricultural services.
The report highlights that AI is already assisting government bodies and businesses in data analysis, improving forecasting, and enhancing the quality of services provided. Technologies can be used to support doctors in disease diagnosis, assist farmers in decision-making, improve enterprise efficiency, enhance tax administration, social programs, healthcare and education systems, and respond to emergencies.
The study's authors point out that developing economies are experiencing the lowest average growth rates in the last three decades. They estimate that artificial intelligence can significantly accelerate economic development by the end of the 2020s, although this scenario is not guaranteed.
Among the main obstacles listed are electricity shortages, limited internet access, lack of computing power, data, skilled specialists, and effective government institutions. Without necessary reforms, AI could exacerbate global and domestic inequality, lead to further concentration of market power, and create additional threats to security, personal data protection, and public trust.
The World Bank proposes a phased approach to AI technology development. In the first phase, countries are advised to actively implement existing solutions, then adapt them to national specifics, and only after establishing the necessary infrastructure move on to developing their own advanced AI systems.
Gaurav Nayyar, director of the report's authoring group, specifically noted that the window of opportunity for making effective decisions is narrow. He stated that countries that invest now in energy, the internet, human capital development, and institutions will be able to use artificial intelligence for the benefit of their citizens and economy.
The research places particular emphasis on developing basic infrastructure. As an example, it cites Sub-Saharan African countries, where nearly a third of rural schools lack reliable electricity, and over two-thirds lack stable internet access. To address this issue, the World Bank, together with partners, is implementing the Mission 300 initiative, aiming to provide electricity to 300 million residents in the region by 2030.
The report authors also recommend expanding access to computing resources, increasing data volumes, including materials in local languages, supporting innovative companies, improving public procurement and project evaluation mechanisms, and strengthening public trust in artificial intelligence through responsible regulation and international cooperation. In their opinion, voluntary industry standards may play an important role in the initial stage, followed by the application of existing legislation if necessary to prevent negative consequences of AI use.
