AI and ML in groundwater exploration and water resources management: Concepts, methods, applications, and future directions

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into groundwater exploration and water resources management has emerged as a transformative approach to addressing global water challenges. This review explores key AI and ML concepts, methodologies, and their applications in hydrology, focusing on groundwater potential mapping, water quality prediction, and groundwater level forecasting. It discusses various data acquisition techniques, including remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and geophysical surveys, alongside preprocessing methods that are essential for enhancing model accuracy. The study highlights AI-driven solutions in water distribution, allocation optimization, and real-time resource management. Despite their advantages, the application of AI and ML in water sciences faces several challenges, including data scarcity, model reliability, and the integration of these tools with traditional water management systems. Ethical and regulatory concerns also demand careful consideration. The paper also outlines future research directions, emphasizing the need for improved data collection, interpretable models, real-time monitoring capabilities, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By leveraging AI and ML advancements, the water sector can enhance decision-making, optimize resource distribution, and support the development of sustainable water management strategies.