San Salvador, Lima, Santiago, Bogotá. October 2024.

The water and sanitation companies (APyS) in the region face chronic challenges that affect the accessibility, quality, and sustainability of the service. Among these issues, high levels of unaccounted water and high energy costs stand out, among others. These difficulties prevent vulnerable populations from receiving adequate services, directly affecting their accessibility, quality, and sustainability. Boorie is an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system based on OpenAI's GPT and the implementation of digital twins that are being trained to simulate the water infrastructure of a city and conduct tests on the efficient management of the network. This innovative solution provides automatic recommendations to both management teams and operational staff, who will validate their results and make better decisions based on their recommendations, promoting more efficient operational management through savings in energy and water, reducing operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 6.0 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

“Using a digital twin and artificial intelligence techniques, we can create in a matter of hours an agent with over 100 years of accumulated experience, capable of effectively solving the posed problems and improving operational performance,” affirmed Javier Molina, founder and CEO of Nova Studio.

With the support of the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, BID Lab, the project “Boorie: artificial intelligence and industry 5.0 for drinking water and sanitation companies” is financially and technically promoted, aiming to reduce unaccounted water (ANC) and the carbon footprint of APyS companies using Boorie. The initiative will also develop a generative AI for public domain, accessible and usable by any user without restrictions, facilitating operators and researchers across the region to use the system freely, feeding the model and improving its predictive capability. Boorie is projected to implement the technology in at least three APyS companies, bringing benefits to 75,000 households with a potential impact on 300,000 people in vulnerable situations. The project will be deployed in Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, and Peru, and it is expected that participating operators can reduce their levels of unaccounted water, energy costs, and greenhouse gas emissions.

This project is financed by Source of Innovation, an alliance promoted by BID Lab and the Water and Sanitation Division of the IDB to foster innovation in the water and sanitation sector, supported by the Femsa Foundation, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the governments of Switzerland, Israel, Korea, and Spain. Additionally, BID Lab will assist the company in applying ethical and responsible data handling practices in coordination with the alliance fAIr LAC.

Press Contact

Cristina Cruz

cristina.cruz@tribucorp.es

Luis Mora

luis.mora@tribucorp.es

About Boorie

Boorie is an artificial intelligence system based on OpenAI's GPT technology that, through deep learning, promotes efficiencies in the management of APyS companies. The software makes recommendations to the human actors operating APyS services, allowing for reduced energy consumption and water losses; thus lowering the cost of services and emissions of CO2, among other benefits. Boorie is powered by DCK Studios, a tech company from Barcelona, Spain.

About the IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is dedicated to improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the IDB works with the public sector in the region to design and facilitate innovative and impactful solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging finance, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website https://www.iadb.org/en

About BID Lab

BID Lab is the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. We find new ways to drive social inclusion, environmental action, and productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean. BID Lab leverages funding, knowledge, and connections to support early-stage entrepreneurship, develop new technologies, activate innovative markets, and boost existing sectors. www.bidlab.org.

About Source of Innovation

Source of Innovation is funded by the Government of Switzerland through its State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the FEMSA Foundation, the Republic of Korea through its Ministry of Environment, the Government of Spain through the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Business (MINECO), the Government of Israel, and the Coca-Cola Foundation. The alliance is also complemented by direct contributions from BID Lab, BID Invest, and the Water and Sanitation Division of the IDB.