ARTificial Intelligence for Flood resilient infrAstruCTure

Amidst the mounting challenges posed by climate change, particularly escalating urban flooding events, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence R&D of Serbia (IVI) introduces the ARTIFACT project, focusing on the synergy of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and engineering for urban flood resilience. Recognizing the limitations of existing physics-based models, the ARTIFACT seeks to harness AI's capabilities to elevate urban flood prediction, management, and mitigation, emphasising the importance of integrating nature-based solutions (NBS) and AI in urban planning to confront future flood risks. Notably, IVI aims to utilize vast datasets and advanced machine learning techniques to offer in-depth, real-time analysis concerning climate change impacts. By intertwining AI-driven solutions and expertise of IVI with engineering prowess from leading EU partners, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (IHE Delft), and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), the initiative aims to foster advanced strategies in AI-based urban flood modelling. As IVI positions itself at the forefront of AI-driven environmental modelling, the ARTIFACT project emerges as a beacon of innovation, cementing IVI's role as a regional leader and research lighthouse in this domain. To achieve this ARTIFACT will use staff exchanges, expert trainings, summer schools and workshops to boost the research excellence, innovation capacity and visibility of IVI members focusing on ESRs and administrative staff. The project will gradually shift focus from research to innovation-driven implementation by setting up Blue-Green AI Hub at IVI as an interface towards the regional ICT sector, bridging high-quality IVI research with thriving regional ICT innovation scene. With the help of EU partners, ARTIFACT will put the IVI on the European map of emerging AI-based flood and NBS modelling, while via Blue-Green AI Hub, IVI will become integral part of regional ICT industry.