AI: Driving Radical Innovation, Unprecedented Growth, and Sustainable Development

Technology

AI: Driving Radical Innovation, Unprecedented Growth, and Sustainable Development

By Patrick Johansson, President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa

From voice-activated assistants like Siri to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we live and work. But what about its impact on mobile connectivity, particularly as we approach nearly 5.6 billion 5G subscriptions by 2029? Imagine if your smartphone could predict your data usage and optimize your network connection in real time. AI is doing just that and more, revolutionizing the telecommunications sector and paving the way for a future filled with innovative possibilities.

As a powerful transformative force, AI is enhancing efficiency, driving automation, and enabling predictive operations across industries, particularly in telecommunications. Many service providers are already leveraging AI to streamline tasks and make data-driven decisions. In the telecom world, AI is advancing mobile connectivity from best-effort mobile broadband to more predictable, high-performance services—an evolution that promises significant economic benefits while helping businesses, governments, and societies achieve sustainability goals.

AI and the Future of Mobile Networks
AI is central to developing tomorrow's networks, improving communication technologies, supporting extended reality (XR), reduced capability (RedCap) devices, and increasing network energy efficiency. Large language models (LLMs) have further expanded AI’s potential, creating new use cases that go beyond traditional applications. As 5G becomes ubiquitous, AI will unlock innovations we can only begin to imagine.

At Ericsson, we have been at the forefront of AI adoption for decades. We have used AI-powered solutions to manage complex network data, predict patterns, and optimize performance. Our AI-driven network management technology includes machine learning-based diagnostics, root cause analysis, and actionable recommendations. These tools help communication service providers (CSPs) manage network anomalies while redefining how networks are operated and maintained.

AI at GITEX Global and Beyond
This year’s GITEX Global theme, "AI Everything," aligns perfectly with Ericsson’s vision of a mobile-first world powered by AI and cloud. We are excited to showcase our cutting-edge innovations in AI and connectivity, demonstrating how AI can contribute to achieving global sustainability goals and exploring future technologies like 5G Advanced and 6G.

In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, AI is crucial in ensuring reliable connectivity and advancing digital inclusion in line with ambitious national visions. Our AI-enabled solutions are improving network performance, driving digital transformation, and addressing unique market challenges. By embracing AI, we are not only addressing today’s issues but also laying the foundation for the networks of the future.

AI, Cybersecurity, and Trustworthiness
However, with AI’s numerous benefits come challenges—especially in cybersecurity. As 5G and ICT transition to cloud and edge computing, new vulnerabilities emerge. The rise of generative AI and LLMs has given adversaries new tools to exploit weaknesses, and a report by Sapio Research and Deep Instinct found that 85% of security professionals attribute the rise in cyberattacks to generative AI. To counter this, advanced AI-driven security solutions are essential.

Trust in AI is another critical challenge. AI’s reliance on probabilistic models introduces uncertainty, making transparency essential. For AI to reach its full potential, trust must be built into its development, deployment, and usage. This requires explainability, human oversight, and built-in safety mechanisms. At Ericsson, we are committed to embedding trustworthiness into AI systems by design.

The Road Ahead: A Hyperconnected Future
Unlocking AI’s full potential will require strong partnerships across industries to develop secure, trustworthy solutions. As we move towards an era where networks can autonomously sense, compute, learn, and act, AI will be critical in managing the immense amount of data generated by billions of connected devices. This hyperconnected future will rely on partnerships between ICT companies and CSPs, transforming business and society through secure, efficient, and sustainable communication services.