Himanshu Gupta at Davos 2023: AI for water security
World Economic Forum (Davos 2023) · 2023
In the Hub Culture studio at Davos 2023, Himanshu Gupta reframes water as a top global risk, shows how much of it is locked up in corporate supply chains, and uses a beer-versus-drinking-water dilemma in Mexico to argue water security doesn't have to be a zero-sum game.
What he said
How big a risk is water?
Top-tier. Gupta notes that climate and water have been named among the very top risks facing humanity.
“climate and water was identified as a top two risk facing Humanity”Watch at 0:48
Where does the world's water actually go?
Into what we buy. Gupta points out that two-thirds of global water use goes into producing ingredients for corporate supply chains.
“two third of the water used worldwide”Watch at 1:53
What does the water trade-off look like on the ground?
Stark. Gupta recounts the dilemma raised in Mexico — home to many breweries — of whether scarce water should go to beer or to drinking water.
“what is more important for Humanity is it beer or drinking water”Watch at 2:13
Does it have to be that trade-off?
No. Gupta's position is that water security needn't be a zero-sum game.
“we believe that it doesn't have to be a zero-sum game”Watch at 2:23
What's a concrete example?
Berries. Gupta points to ClimateAi's work with the world's largest berry supplier as a concrete example.
“we work with the largest Berry supplier in the world”Watch at 2:48
Key takeaways
- Climate and water rank among the top risks facing humanity.
- Two-thirds of global water use goes into corporate supply-chain ingredients.
- In Mexico, scarce water pits beer against drinking water.
- Gupta's stance: water security doesn't have to be zero-sum.
- A concrete case: work with the world's largest berry supplier.