ARTIFACT Summer School 2026: Researchers from Around the World Explore AI Applications in Urban Flood Modelling in Delft

The second ARTIFACT Summer School, dedicated to the application of artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies in urban flood modelling and water systems management, was held in Delft, the Netherlands, as part of the ARTIFACT (Artificial Intelligence for Urban Flood Resilience in Serbia and Europe) project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.

The summer school, titled “Modelling Urban Floods and Nature-based Solutions with Physics & AI”, brought together students, researchers, and professionals interested in combining traditional engineering approaches with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence methods. Throughout the five-day programme, participants enhanced their knowledge of data preparation and processing, 1D–2D flood modelling, machine learning, and deep learning techniques for urban flood prediction through lectures, hands-on exercises, and collaborative group work.

The summer school was organised by the ARTIFACT project partners, with the support of IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, TU Delft, and TUHH Hamburg, which contributed to the programme’s implementation and international knowledge exchange. Lectures and practical sessions were delivered by internationally recognised experts in hydroinformatics, flood modelling, and artificial intelligence.

A key focus of the programme was the development of AI-driven approaches to improve the resilience of urban areas to flooding caused by climate change. The second ARTIFACT Summer School represents an important contribution to strengthening research capacity and fostering international collaboration in the fields of artificial intelligence, hydroinformatics, and climate resilience.