This experience has profoundly altered my outlook for the future. I learned that the Dutch methods of water management can be tailored for the Arab world, reinforcing my belief that these worldwide issues demand international solutions
My journey as an LRF scholar began with a clear objective: to demonstrate that AI transparency can conserve water. At TAQA, overseeing 13,000 km of pipelines means that even minor delays in leak response can result in the wastage of thousands of litres of water. My research in the
Netherlands enabled me to develop a digital twin to evaluate how “Explainable AI” could help engineers work more quickly and confidently. The support from the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation was essential for this project. It allowed me to develop a detailed Wizard-of-Oz simulation in which I watched engineers evolve from “Novices” to “Practitioners”. As I offered clear explanations for AI alerts, I noticed their response lag reduced as they grew more confident in the system’s reasoning. Research does not occur in isolation. During my residency, tensions between Israel and Iran caused major disruptions in Abu Dhabi, affecting daily life and forcing me to end my internship early. This experience taught me resilience and underscored the importance of reliable, transparent technology to maintain critical infrastructure amid instability.
This experience has profoundly altered my outlook for the future. I learned that the Dutch methods of water management can be tailored for the Arab world, reinforcing my belief that these worldwide issues demand international solutions. The connections I established during my research and through the LRF network have become an enduring element of my professional journey. As I prepare for the next phase of my journey, pursuing a master’s at Tsinghua University in China, I carry these lessons with me. My focus has shifted from local utility management to global infrastructure issues. I am now more motivated than ever to combine technological innovation with cross-cultural dialogue to tackle water security challenges. The LRF grant was more than just financial backing for a project; it marked the beginning of my lifelong commitment to sustainable, transparent technology.
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