During the recent 6G Forum, although the opening session wasn’t directly focused on artificial intelligence (AI), the discussion repeatedly returned to the role of AI in shaping the overall 6G vision. AI is evidently pivotal for 6G, but how does it truly fit into the bigger picture?
While OpenAI’s ChatGPT popularized generative AI, making it seem like a new innovation, Milap Majmundar, AT&T’s director of advanced RAN technologies, standards, and spectrum, reminded attendees that operators have been leveraging AI for years. “The use of AI in the network is a routine, business-as-usual activity — we can’t wait for a new generation like 6G to integrate AI. It’s something we use daily,” he explained.
However, Majmundar did acknowledge that the role of AI in 6G will differ from its application in 5G. He noted that AI in 5G is often layered onto centralized data sets in a non-native way. But in 6G, AI will become native to the system, which requires the industry to establish standardized life cycle models and unified data collection to enable better network visibility and interoperability.
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Majmundar also suggested that AI could enable services that are not currently feasible under the 5G framework or optimize existing services more efficiently. “AI in 6G will make new services possible and enhance network efficiency,” he said.
Alex Kaloxylos, executive director of the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA), highlighted another key shift: 6G is not solely about faster speeds or lower latency but also about sustainability. “Sustainability in 6G is multifaceted, covering societal, environmental, and business aspects,” he explained. Kaloxylos emphasized that AI will play a significant role in building sustainable networks and applications, and the industry must be clear about how to best use these new tools.
However, David Young, Vice President of technology policy at the Next G Alliance, cautioned that AI, particularly its training and use, demands substantial power. He pointed out that energy consumption patterns are shifting toward data centers and the network core as cloud-based architectures become more prominent.
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To address this energy challenge, Majmundar stressed that 6G must be designed to be scalable from the start. He referenced how energy savings were an afterthought for 5G and weren’t addressed until later releases, but with 6G, energy efficiency should be a priority from the beginning.
Regardless of how 6G evolves, global standardization will be crucial. ETSI CTO Issam Toufik emphasized the importance of avoiding fragmentation, which he described as a lose-lose for both the industry and society. He expressed optimism that, despite challenges, the industry partners would commit to creating a unified global standard for 6G.
