Gap Inc. is the first apparel company to join a worldwide multi-stakeholder effort to reduce water wastage using AI. Under a new agreement with FIDO Tech, Gap will fund the use of FIDO AI to reduce leakage across 350km of water pipeline networks in Bangalore, India for 10 years.
FIDO AI analyses acoustic sensor data to detect the largest and most often hidden leaks in underground water pipelines. Reducing leakage from utility infrastructure can be a key factor in improved community water resilience in water scarce areas. The latest project uses a partnership model called FIDO Plus which unites stakeholders to contribute to rapid, transparent and long-term improvements in local water resilience.
Gap will support the deployment of FIDO AI on pipelines in the state of Karnataka in southern India because of its importance to the global apparel supply chain and its challenges with water resilience. Similar FIDO Plus projects have proven their effectiveness in the UK, US and Mexico, with several more in the planning stages. Gap’s project is FIDO’s first in India.
“Water resilience is a critical issue both for Gap and for the communities in which we operate. The collaboration between Gap and FIDO has the potential to improve water resilience for communities, industries, and ecosystems in a region that faces growing demand and limited supply, and is fundamental to our efforts to bridge the climate gap in the context of our supply chain,” said Dan Fibiger, vice-president of global sustainability at Gap.
Victoria Edwards, co-founder and CEO of FIDO Tech, added, “Water stress affects families, businesses, livelihoods and the environment, and places like Bengaluru are on the front line. Gap can have a positive and lasting impact. By using their skills and resources to help accelerate the adoption of new technologies like FIDO AI they contribute not just to immediate water replenishment; they help improve institutional capacity in utilities for the benefit of all consumers. I am delighted to be working with such a talented team.”
Gap is the latest global corporation supporting FIDO Plus partnerships in stressed global watersheds. Others include Microsoft, Meta and Coca Cola, who between them support projects in the UK, US, and Mexico.
