In the opening interview of the series, Gil Groskop, VP Technology and Digital Transformation, describes how Mekorot has evolved into a high-tech company managing critical national infrastructure, relying on artificial intelligence (AI) and some of the world’s most advanced cyber-defense systems.
“We don’t just make information accessible, we drive action,” he explains. According to him, the company’s new AI systems are not limited to data collection but actively identify trends and malfunctions that the human eye might miss. The system can detect recurring patterns of failures or cyberattacks and recommend real-time responses to control-room operators. “Today, everything reaches me with insights, like information laid out in the palm of my hand,” he says.
One of the most compelling topics raised in the conversation is the growing cyber threat, which has intensified significantly since the outbreak of the war. Groskop reveals that the company employs virtual “honeypots,” borrowed from the worlds of intelligence and offensive cyber operations. “We scatter virtual traps across the network to identify potential attackers and learn their methods in advance,” he explains. These technologies, combined with advanced SCADA control and monitoring systems, enable Mekorot to maintain full operational continuity even under attack.
He stresses that the future is already here, with a vision of near-total autonomy within the next decade. “Ultimately, the control room will resemble an ‘autonomous vehicle.’ The vast majority of optimal decisions will be made by artificial intelligence.” This readiness was put to the test on the morning of October 7, when automated backup systems immediately activated, ensuring an uninterrupted water supply despite the nationwide chaos.
This article was written in cooperation with Mekorot.