Orange County Agencies Launch First AI Course For Water Professionals

California Data Collaborative, California Jobs First, CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County, Moulton Niguel Water District, Orange County Business Council, and the University of California Irvine, Division of Continuing Education tap into the potential of AI.

A coalition of Orange County agencies is launching a groundbreaking online education program designed to equip Orange County water professionals with artificial intelligence skills to modernize water utility management.

A collaboration between California Data Collaborative, CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County (CLAOC), Moulton Niguel Water District and the University of California Irvine, Division of Continuing Education (UCI DCE), has launched the nation’s first online course dedicated to AI for water professionals. Funding for the course was made possible through a California Jobs First grant awarded to the CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County to catalyze local workforce development projects.

The program introduces real-world applications of AI in water operations, conservation, infrastructure planning, customer service and more, strengthening California’s position as a leader in innovative, future-ready workforce development. “This is exactly the kind of historic, forward-looking investment California Jobs First was designed to support. It demonstrates how strategic public funding can unlock innovation, strengthen regional economies, and build durable talent pipelines in sectors that are essential to California’s future,” said Derek Kirk, Senior Advisor for Economic Policy at the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development.

Creative direction of the course was led by CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County Senior Advisor of Talent Strategies, Amy Kaufman, and Moulton Niguel Water District General Manager and CEO and Founder of the California Data Collaborative, Joone Kim-Lopez and Dean of the Division of Continuing Education at University of California, Irvine, Krissy Collins. The program was developed through a collaborative effort among partner agency staff to design hands-on and easy-to understand curriculum that supports water professionals while enhancing long-term workforce development.

“This initiative reflects the intent of California Jobs First to align employers, educators, and public agencies to address real workforce needs and build capacity in critical industries,” Kaufman said. “By developing AI-ready water professionals through this partnership, we are strengthening a vital industry, positioning Orange County as a leader in innovation and sustainable infrastructure, while helping create a thriving OC for all.”

Kim-Lopez said the partnership grew from a shared belief that essential industries must be ready for the rapid evolution of technology. “The workforce of tomorrow must harness new technology to deliver bold and accessible solutions,” Kim-Lopez said. “By joining forces, we created a platform that expands access to AI knowledge for the water sector and helps ensure communities remain resilient for decades to come.”

Collins highlighted that “our goal is to become the top provider of workforce reskilling and upskilling in Orange County. This partnership is part of that strategy. We can’t wait for more employees to gain knowledge that enables our region to thrive.”

The online course, AI for Water Management Professionals, includes weekly live sessions with industry subject matter experts. The Jobs First grant will provide funding to educate 75 Orange County water professionals; enrollment is on-going throughout the first half of 2026.

Its launch marks a milestone in regional collaboration and a significant step toward ensuring that critical infrastructure sectors remain resilient, efficient, and innovative in an era of rapid technological change.

The California Data Collaborative (CaDC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and network of water professionals collaborating to support the planning and analysis needed to ensure a reliable and resilient water supply in California. We’re building a community that creates open-source software, data, standards, and applied research to empower local water suppliers on the ground and put their data to use for planning and policy.

CLAOC is a coalition of over 60 CEOs working together to solve the county’s most urgent problems and build a thriving Orange County for all. To fuel OC economic growth, close gaps, and secure future prosperity for all its residents, they are developing an innovative ecosystem – through a focus on talent and capital. Their collective work aims to make it more desirable for talent to stay, connect more OC residents to higher-paying jobs, and strengthen new and established local companies.

Moulton Niguel Water District provides high-quality drinking water, recycled water and wastewater treatment services to customers in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point. A leader in environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average bill in South Orange County.

For 30 years, Orange County Business Council (OCBC) has been representing and promoting the region’s business community together with government and academia to enhance Orange County’s economic development. The Council’s core initiatives include developing pro-business solutions that lead to economic growth, education development that leads to a competitive workforce, advocating for a range of housing, and advocating for adequate investment in regional and statewide infrastructure for the nation’s sixth most populous county.

About The University of California, Irvine:
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7B annually to the local economy and $8B statewide. For more information, visit www.uci.edu.