5G Factor: MWC24 Preview – AI and GenAI Percolating

An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Developments Including GSMA IBM Telco AI Collaboration, Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform, and Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency. In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I look at the top 5G innovations and what’s going on that caught my eye in the lead up to MWC24. Key AI and GenAI developments that stand out include the GSMA and IBM collaborating to advance AI skills and adoption using IBM’s watsonx platform and training programs, Juniper launches its AI-Native Networking Platform built to optimize AI in assuring comprehensive, enhanced operator and end-user experiences, and Nokia’s AVA Energy Efficiency solution targeted at ensuring operators fulfill their strategic sustainability goals.  My analytical review spotlighted: GSMA and IBM Pair Up to Boost Telco AI Skills. The GSMA and IBM unveiled a new collaboration to support the adoption and skills of AI in the telecom industry through the launch of GSMA Advance's AI Training program and the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program. The AI training program, the first in a new series of courses by GSMA Advance, seeks to prepare telco decision makers for the AI-era and bridge skills gaps in the telecom industry, by equipping members with skills and knowledge to help leverage Gen AI technologies using watsonx, IBM's AI and data platform with AI assistants. The training program will span a wide range of topics, from fundamental AI principles to specialized Gen AI applications in telecoms. I examine how the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program, by providing GSMA members with access to IBM's watsonx platform, can aid telecom decision makers in diligently exploring industry-specific use cases of Generative AI, including those serving the world's least connected communities, as well as ensuring that risk management is foundational and critical to operationalizing AI.   Juniper Unveils AI-Native Networking Platform. Juniper announced its AI-Native Networking Platform, purpose-built to leverage AI to deliver end-to-end operator and end-user experiences. Juniper promotes that it is trained on seven years of insights and data science development. Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform is designed to unify all campus, branch and data center networking solutions with a common AI engine and Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (or VNA). This can enable end-to-end AI for IT Operations (or AIOps) to be used for deep insight, automated troubleshooting and end-to-end networking assurance. I assess why the new Juniper AI-Native Networking Platform can elevate telco AI strategic objectives by enabling IT teams to transition from maintaining basic network connectivity to delivering secure end-to-end experiences for customers and partners that boost business outcomes.  Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency Uses AI/ML to Advance Telco Sustainability. Nokia’s Telco AI initiative’s aimed at supporting the fulfillment of telco sustainability objectives through its Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency AI solution designed to help operators reduce CO2 emissions and network energy costs. Operators want to meet environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) goals by optimizing their 5G networks. I expect that operators and their supply chain and value chain partners can commit to proactively addressing the sustainability challenge our society faces. Nokia is collaborating with key partners such as China Mobile in using the TM Forum’s Autonomous Networks technology and AI/ML intelligence as well as the Green 5G project to help define a unified energy efficiency standard and delivery methodology. I assess why China Mobile selection of Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency to help reduce energy consumption and control costs without compromising the customer experience is an exemplar on how AI/ML can be enlisted to help mobile operators to fulfill their long-term sustainability goals.