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A visual representation of AI in telecommunications at Tech & AI LIVE London.

During his recent keynote at Tech & AI LIVE London, Alper Benli, the Head of Transformation and Strategic Programs for Europe and Latin America at Ericsson, addressed the pivotal role artificial intelligence (AI) plays in the telecommunications industry. He highlighted the significant growth of 5G, which saw 1.6 billion global subscriptions in 2023, with 219 communication service providers (CSPs) launching commercial services. Alper stated, ‘5G remains on track to become the fastest-adopted mobile generation in history.’

Alper emphasized that to fully harness the power of 5G, a concerted effort towards an ‘AI-native’ approach is essential. This involves executives prioritizing AI and creating a roadmap for integrating AI across organizational functions. He described AI-native organizations as those that continually innovate their operating models while enhancing relationships with customers, partners, and employees.

Foundational Elements of AI-Native Organizations

Benli outlined several key components necessary for AI-native organizations, beginning with the need for executive ownership. ‘AI needs to be a top-down priority, starting from the CEO and embraced by all C-level leaders,’ he emphasized. A successful strategy, according to him, should be grounded in a business-aligned roadmap, ensuring collaboration among stakeholders to avoid isolated initiatives.

He highlighted the extraordinary opportunities that AI presents in optimizing telecommunications networks, noting the technologies could lead to self-healing and self-optimizing capabilities. ‘AI enables digital transformation by providing personalized services, enhancing customer experiences, and boosting operational efficiency,’ he remarked.

AI Investments and Use Cases

To examine current trends, Ericsson recently surveyed 132 service providers and found that 70% identified network planning as the highest-return area for AI investments, followed closely by network performance management and service level agreement (SLA) management. Alper commented on the focus many CSPs have on reducing operational costs through AI-driven optimization.

He detailed a structured four-stage approach to AI adoption: experimental, visionary, professional, and monitoring. He noted the importance of assessing an organization’s current status and developing strategic plans to advance. ‘It’s essential to know where you are in this marathon,’ he stated, urging companies to define goals, partner, and assure data quality. Alper also warned against waiting for the perfect ‘killer use case,’ instead advising organizations to embrace collaboration and incremental enhancements.

Challenges and Innovation

Alper acknowledged various challenges in achieving AI-native transformation, particularly the complexity of integrating legacy systems with new technologies. Additionally, he mentioned the critical importance of addressing data privacy and security, especially as AI processes vast amounts of data. ‘We have a lot of data, but we’re not leveraging it enough,’ he cautioned.

The session concluded with Alper expressing optimism about the potential of AI in the future of telecommunications, anticipating increased use cases in predictive maintenance, autonomous networks, and beyond-5G applications. ‘We’re building the foundations for future technologies,’ he asserted, underscoring AI’s critical role in realizing the promises of 6G networks.

In conclusion, Alper Benli’s keynote emphasized the need for CSPs to prioritize AI, engage in collaboration, and tackle challenges to unlock the full potential of 5G in an AI-driven future.