Harnessing AI for Weather and Climate Resilience: WWRP’s Badreddine Alaoui Opens SRI2026 Plenary

In 2025, severe floods, tropical cyclones and droughts across the continent affected approximately 13 million people and claimed more than 3,000 lives. Yet fewer than 40% of African countries have early warning systems, leaving a critical gap in the protection of lives, livelihoods and infrastructure. However, the challenge extends beyond Africa. Half of the world still lacks access to multi-hazard early warning systems, while more than 60% of countries are experiencing declining hydrological monitoring capabilities. These figures demonstrate why reliable observations, improved forecasting and accessible digital technologies are essential to sustainable development. 

Dr Alaoui outlined how artificial intelligence, space technologies and high-resolution forecasting models can provide faster, more detailed information for managing weather risks, water resources, energy systems and urban environments. Reflecting on his experience, he shared an operational example from Morocco, where a portable, low-cost system processes 25 scenarios across 44 weather stations and produces 72-hour forecasting guidance in only two minutes on a single computing node. 

As WWRP SSC’s AI expert Dr Alaoui helps ensure that artificial intelligence remains an integral part of critical discussions within the Programme. His experience applying AI within an African National Meteorological and Hydrological Service brings an essential operational and regional perspective to WWRP, helping the Programme address regional priorities, capacity constraints and the practical needs of weather services and the communities they serve.

Watch the plenary recording.