Page 27 - AI Standards for Global Impact: From Governance to Action

AI Standards for Global Impact: From Governance to Action

5 High level panels and keynotes

5�1 Transforming telecoms with AI and machine learning AI

As a tech-native industry, the telecommunications sector has embraced machine learning (ML) Part 1: International
and predictive AI to optimize network operations for over a decade. Today, with the rapid
advancement of generative AI, telecom operators are entering a new phase – reimagining
traditional business and operating models. AI is enhancing network performance, reducing
energy consumption, and driving efficiencies at scale. From intelligent automation that lowers
cost-to-serve to generative AI-powered personalization in sales and marketing, AI is unlocking
innovative services, new business models, and responsive, dynamic networks. There is also
growing momentum behind telecom-led AI offerings such as AI infrastructure provision and AI-
as-a-service (AIaaS), while natural language capabilities are reshaping customer service through
digital assistants and chatbots. In parallel, telecom operators are increasingly positioning
themselves as trusted partners in the AI age.
John Omo, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU); Hatem Dowidar,
Group CEO of Etisalat; Chih-Lin I, Chief Mobile Scientist at China Mobile; and Pamela Snively,
Chief Data and Trust Officer at TELUS, discussed real-world use cases already delivering impact
and highlighted the growing importance of international standards and collaboration in shaping
the future of AI-powered telecommunications.
Some of the key points discussed and raised by panelists are summarised below:

a) Rapid pace of AI evolution

• Over the past decade, leveraging wireless big data and evolving AI technologies has
significantly improved resource efficiency and performance in telecommunications.
For example, advanced AI now enables over 1 billion kWh in annual energy savings by
optimizing multi-generation (2G/3G/4G) networks across over 5 million base stations,
demonstrating immense cost-saving opportunities.
• AI-powered tools, such as speech recognition and automatic translation, are creating
innovative services that improve daily lives. For instance, in China, AI supports
communication across 56 ethnic groups, eight dialect families, and 30 accent groups,
facilitating seamless interaction and dialogue translation. Additionally, as part of
progress towards 6G, networks should both leverage AI for optimization and enable
creative, socially beneficial AI applications, effectively offering "AI as a service."
• The success of the mobile industry, from 1G to 5G and now preparing for 6G, is
attributed to globally unified standards that help ensure economies of scale, global
interoperability, and societal transformation. Similarly, in the rapidly evolving AI
landscape, global standards are essential to establish trust, reliability, and confidence
in the technology.
• Unlike the traditional 10-year cycle in mobile communication standards, AI's fast-paced
evolution demands a more dynamic, continuous approach to global standardization.
This can help ensure interoperability, scalability, and trust while adapting to AI's rapidly
shifting advancements.

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