PARTNER CONTENT: Dang Wenshuan, Huawei’s chief strategy architect, explained the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into telco operations should focus as much on enhancing user experience as it does automating network functions and product creation, as he delved into the key strategies needed to put the technology to work in a meaningful way.

During WinWin Live, Dang said Huawei believes in a concept called the six-As, spanning adaptive user experience, auto-evolving products, autonomous operations, augmented workforce, all-connected resources and AI-native infrastructure.

The executive offered a real-world perspective on the deployment of AI around the six fields, a view which indicates the technology is meant to enhance rather than replace the work of people.

Dang said operators can “adapt to provide services that best meet user needs”, for example by optimising the mobile broadband experience.

The ability to adapt goes hand-in-hand with the use of AI to evolve product offerings automatically. Dang explained the technology can deliver services with the ability to “self-learn, iterate continuously, adapt to changes, self-optimise” and evolve in-line with users’ needs.

He pointed to new calling services operators are offering. When combined with AI, these can be swiftly updated with features including digital avatars, real-time translation and auto transcription, Dang said, explaining such products become more powerful and compelling by employing the technology.

Autonomy
References to autonomous operations are becoming increasingly widespread as telcos deploy AI, but Dang offered more insight into the practicalities of the concept.

The executive explained Huawei uses the term to refer to “closed-loop autonomous operations” for business flows including planning, decision-making and execution. Dang highlighted the ability for an AI agent to oversee wireless network optimisation by automating end-to-end procedures.

It is a concept rapidly gaining traction with telcos as they seek to simplify the operation of networks to derive cost and efficiency benefits, or even meet broader goals around sustainability by automatically tackling power consumption, for example by powering down sites which are not heavily used.

As noted, Huawei believes people remain at the forefront of the technological breakthroughs AI can bring to telcos. Dang explained its augmented workforce approach envisions a world in which “every employee will have an intelligent assistant that understands their needs”.

This assistant can help staff to “complete tasks more efficiently and with higher quality”, Dang explained, citing a home broadband engineer employing AI to improve the efficiency of their job as an example.

AI foundations
While the initial As in Huawei’s list offer clear benefits in terms of network operations, tailored services and job efficiency, Dang said the company regards the remaining two “As” as the building blocks of AI.

First is all-connected resources, a concept where each part of an enterprise is connected, “from assets and employees to customers, partners and ecosystems”. This offers a big picture perspective of operations, one which is enhanced by “digitalising all business objects, processes and rules”, for example by creating digital twins of the network.

The digital twin process is an oft-mentioned benefit of the latest network and AI technologies. At a simple level it involves a virtual representation of the object or system, often created using data gathered from various sensors to derive information about the physical object. In this case, the data would enable telcos to simulate and analyse potential changes to network operations before implementing them on the real infrastructure.

Running an AI-native infrastructure is a key element in enabling the digitalisation moves Dang discussed. He explained there are two aspects to the idea, “ICT for intelligence” and “intelligence for ICT”.

The first element means the relevant infrastructure “needs to be built out systematically to adapt to value creation in the age of AI”. The second section involves AI itself as a “vital” part of the operation and maintenance of ICT infrastructure.

Applying AI
Dang noted the work of standards bodies and industry associations as a key element in applying AI to networks.

He pointed to the release of the Autonomous Network (AN) Level 4 industry blueprint by the TM Forum and industry partners late in 2024 as a key step in the AI journey, explaining these details of 20 high value scenarios and a reference architecture which telcos can use to tailor their use of the technology in their own set-ups.

Dang explained the TM Forum-led blueprint dives deep on maintenance, optimisation and operation domains, areas Huawei intends to focus on by developing a corresponding number of AI agents, six assistants and a trio of professional services the vendor expects will “help carriers accelerate the implementation of” the AN Level 4 plan.

Huawei believes its AI strategy will help operators to improve the efficiency of their operations and maintenance, while addressing a shortage of staff skilled in the field.

Dang said Huawei is already collaborating with a pair of China Mobile units, providing the operator’s businesses in Guangdong and Zhejiang with AI agents and assistants to improve running of the transport network and core network fault management.

Huawei is also working with Vodafone Group, Singtel and MTN Group to verify high-value AN Level 4 scenarios, Dang said.

“Huawei has clearly established a leading position in AI, so although these concepts are new…they are obviously an area where the company has great expertise and insight,” Dang concluded.