Generative AI in Telco: We Are Getting it Wrong

Our Expert Contributor, Sebastian Barros has observed how GenAI was being bandied around during the recent global connectivity event, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. As with other industries, generative AI in the telco industry (Telco GenAI) risks being ‘underestimated’ as a mere facade for dated infrastructure. Read on for Sebastian’s expert recommendations.

The buzz at MWC 2024 was palpable, with GenAI becoming the trendy prefix for devices, applications, and solutions. However, the enthusiasm seems to have overshadowed the practical understanding of GenAI’s role. It’s been largely misconstrued as a user interface upgrade, rather than a transformative force capable of redefining processes and systems.

By slapping GenAI onto existing frameworks without addressing the need for underlying automation and digital transformation, we risk merely rebranding the status quo. The true potential of GenAI in Telco is not as a facade for dated infrastructure but as a catalyst for industry-wide innovation.

Here are some areas where the telco industry needs to refocus its GenAI strategies:

Data Corpus and Ingestion Identify and curate industry-specific datasets that will train GenAI to address our unique challenges.
Custom Architectural Models Develop telco-specific models that streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.
Integration with RPA Align GenAI with robotic process automation to revolutionize process efficiency.
Training and Tuning Best Practices Establish guidelines for effectively training GenAI with telco data, ensuring relevance and accuracy.
Standards Integration Work on embedding GenAI within 3GPP and other standards to ensure AI is an integral part of future solutions, built by design rather than as an afterthought.

The true potential of GenAI in Telco is not as a facade for dated infrastructure but as a catalyst for industry-wide innovation.

We stand at the cusp of a significant transformation, one that can either propel us forward or leave us entangled in a more complex web of outdated practices. We must pivot towards meaningful integrations that enhance the entire value chain.

#MWC2024 #Telecommunications #GenAI #digitaltransformation

Telco Gen AI

Generative AI in telco

About the Author

Sebastián Barros Elgueta, with over two decades of experience in telecommunications and technology, currently serves as Vice President of Global Customer Unit, for Latin America and Europe of a large telco equipment vendor. His extensive career includes pivotal roles in driving digital transformation, fostering strategic partnerships, and spearheading the development of innovative technology across Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Sebastian also found the time to co-found an AI-powered personal assistant startup called MOCOOW.