Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Irrigation and Reclamation Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
2
Department of reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract
Given the existing challenges in water governance, such as a lack of transparency, insufficient public participation, weak accountability, and low effectiveness, there is an increasing need to leverage innovative technological tools. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance decision-making within water governance systems by analyzing complex data, forecasting phenomena such as drought, and optimizing resource allocation. Additionally, the Metaverse creates immersive, interactive, and multisensory environments that offer new opportunities for education, simulation, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. This study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology and conducts a systematic review of over 100 scientific sources published between 2010 and 2025 in the fields of AI, the Metaverse, and water governance. The findings indicate that the combined use of AI and Metaverse technologies can significantly improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in water governance processes. For instance, simulating phenomena such as drought in virtual environments can make their consequences more tangible to citizens, thereby encouraging responsible behaviors such as water conservation. Moreover, in critical situations like water scarcity, these technologies facilitate participatory decision-making and support the development of more intelligent and sustainable strategies. Furthermore, the integration of AI and the Metaverse can help bridge the gap between different levels of policymaking and implementation, paving the way for a transition toward smart and integrated governance models. A limitation of this study is the lack of localized data for practical assessment of the proposed framework, which should be addressed in future research.
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