Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, and Egypt is increasingly positioning itself as an emerging regional hub for this digital revolution. According to Egypt’s updated National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, the sector is expected to contribute up to 7.7% of GDP by 2030, becoming a cornerstone of the nation’s innovation agenda. Yet, this transformation also brings new resource challenges: AI’s growing demand for both energy and water. Data centers, the engine of AI infrastructure, rely heavily on water for cooling, emphasizing the need for smart water management to ensure technology and sustainability advance together.

As the country accelerates its digital transformation, this year’s Ecolab Watermark™ Study explores how public attitudes toward technology and sustainability are evolving:

• 75% of consumers in Egypt believe businesses should use AI to manage natural resources responsibly, signaling growing confidence in technology’s role in sustainability.
• 52% recognize water’s role in AI operations, compared with 73% who understand its energy demands, highlighting a gap in awareness around AI’s water footprint.
• 72% believe AI will have a positive impact on society, underscoring public confidence in the nation’s technology-driven future.

“AI is reshaping how industries operate, and unlocking extraordinary opportunities - but it must do so responsibly,” said Stefan Umiastowski, Ecolab’s Senior Vice President and CEO for India, Middle East and Africa. “Smart water management ensures innovation strengthens, not strains, our resources. With data and digital intelligence, AI can help solve the very pressures it creates.”

The research reflects Egypt’s sustainability agenda, underscoring how national initiatives such as the National Water Resources Plan and Egypt Vision 2030 are shaping public optimism and aligning long-term economic growth with environmental stewardship.

According to the Ecolab Watermark Study, confidence in tackling water challenges is rising:

• 82% of consumers in Egypt believe water scarcity can be effectively addressed, reflecting strong optimism that innovation and collaboration can secure the country’s water future.
• 49% express concern about access to water in 2025, down from 61% in 2024 and 57% in 2023, indicating easing public concern as resilience measures progress.

With global water demand projected by the United Nations to rise by up to 30% by 2050, Egypt has made significant investments in water resilience, advancing its vision to become a regional model for sustainable resource management and an influential contributor on the global stage./p>

In October 2025, Egypt and the European Union launched the first EU-Egypt High-Level Dialogue on Water during Cairo Water Week, marking a major step in global cooperation on water management and reinforcing Egypt’s growing leadership in advancing water resilience across the region.

“In a country where water security is both an urgent challenge and a powerful opportunity, Egypt is forging a path toward sustainable growth,” said Umiastowski. “The Ecolab Watermark Study reveals clear optimism as Egyptians believe water challenges can be solved. With strong leadership and a focus on efficiency and reuse, the country is turning constraint into opportunity and shaping a more resilient, prosperous future.”

The 2025 Ecolab Watermark Study shows that public expectations of business leadership in sustainability are intensifying:

• 81% of consumers in Egypt believe companies should invest in technologies that mitigate the impact of climate change on water.
• 60% of adults in Egypt believe businesses, and 69% believe the government, are reducing, reusing, and recycling water throughout their operations, both figures above the global average.
• 55% believe companies can be trusted to use water to power AI operations responsibly without regulation.
• 70% of adults believe the government is committed to conserving water resources, compared to 61% who say the same of businesses, revealing a persistent trust gap.
• 74% want to learn more about companies’ responsible water practices, signaling a growing demand for transparency and measurable impact.

This rising engagement presents a major opportunity for businesses to lead with clarity, accountability, and innovation.

Building water resilience requires collaboration between government, industry, and community stakeholders. The Ecolab Watermark Study highlights broad public alignment on this shared responsibility:

• 80% of adults in Egypt believe government should prioritize climate action.
• 79% believe businesses should do the same – reflecting a united call for sustainable growth.

“No one can tackle this challenge alone,” Umiastowski added. “Collaboration between government and industry is essential to ensure Egypt’s water future. By embracing data-driven tools and measurable performance frameworks, companies can turn ambition into action, measuring what matters across water, energy, and cost to strengthen resilience and unlock growth.”

The 2025 Ecolab Watermark Study was conducted by Morning Consult in March 2025 among adults across Asia Pacific, China, Europe, Latin America, India/Middle East/Africa, and the U.S., providing a global view of public perceptions of water’s role in climate, innovation, and business.

The research for the Ecolab Watermark™ Study was conducted between March 6 and March 20, 2025, among a sample of general population adults across six global regions—United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, India/Middle East/Africa (IMEA), and China—to provide a comprehensive overview of water stewardship. The interviews were conducted online, and results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2–3 percentage points. Some geographies may be weighted with fewer variables depending on local census data availability. The China research excludes Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.