Artificial intelligence & blockchain: Esan’s vision redefines water-energy-food nexus

In a world grappling with climate unpredictability, dwindling resources, and growing population demands, one researcher’s voice rang clear and transformative at a major sustainability and technology event. With a resonant voice and grounded conviction, Esan Oluwadamilola unveiled a future in which artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies are not distant dreams but active agents of sustainable transformation, particularly within the critical Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus.

Born and educated in Nigeria and South Africa, Oluwadamilola Esan’s academic pedigree is as impressive as her passion. A graduate of the prestigious Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), she now advances cutting-edge research as a scholar at the University of Johannesburg, focusing on the intersection of Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable development. Beyond her titles lies a mission to bridge high-level technology with ground-level impact.

In her lecture, she affirmed, “We must rethink how we manage our basic resources and that starts with digitization, decentralization, and data-driven decision-making. 4IR technology is not the future; it’s the now. And it’s here to solve the most pressing challenges of our time, starting with water, energy, and food“.

The WEF Nexus, a framework that addresses the interdependence of water, energy, and food systems, is often discussed in academic and policy circles. But Esan took the conversation a step further, arguing that no lasting solution in this domain can be achieved without a solid technological infrastructure.

She stated, “The WEF Nexus is not just an academic model; it’s a daily struggle in many communities. AI and blockchain can help us respond to this struggle, not years from now, but immediately.” she illustrated how AI-powered systems are transforming predictive analytics in agriculture, enabling farmers to determine the best planting and harvesting times based on climate patterns, soil conditions, and real-time market demand. She went on to describe how blockchain technology is revolutionizing transparency and accountability in energy transactions and food supply chains. 

She believes that, “Our systems are too interconnected to be managed in isolation. AI and blockchain provide the tools to harmonize data across sectors, respond to shocks in real-time, and ensure that policy implementation is as intelligent as the challenges we face.” 

She presented a dynamic model of a smart WEF dashboard, a real-time, AI-driven platform that visualizes water usage, energy output, and food supply metrics across a region. According to her, the system can alert decision-makers to potential resource conflicts before they escalate while suggesting adaptive strategies based on simulations. The lecture touched on ethical concerns too, the risks of data privacy, digital exclusion, and governance gaps. Esan did not shy away from them. Instead, she called for gender-responsive and inclusive digital policies, capacity building across African nations, grassroots involvement and open-source collaboration models that democratize access to emerging technologies.

“If digital transformation is not inclusive, it will only deepen existing inequalities,” she warned. 

By the end of her lecture, Esan had unpacked the complexity of the WEF Nexus and done so in an empowering and educating way. In an age where technology is often met with scepticism and fear, Esan’s lecture was a refreshing reminder that digital tools can become powerful allies in humanity’s quest for sustainable living when guided by ethics and inclusivity. As the world continues to grapple with climate shocks, food insecurity, and energy crises, one thing is certain: voices like Esan Oluwadamilola are not just shaping conversations; they are shaping the future.