Telecom Giants Leverage AI to Transform Network Operations

Telecommunications companies are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations to enhance network efficiency and transform their business models. At NVIDIA’s GTC global AI conference, major players like SoftBank and Tech Mahindra discussed deploying large telco models (LTMs) and AI agents to automate decision-making and improve performance. This shift is further fueled by the growing deployment of smart buildings, which generate vast amounts of data that telcos can leverage for actionable insights. The Mobile World Congress showcased how firms aim to shed their 'dumb pipes' image by investing in AI, 5G, and new digital services, with leaders like MTN highlighting their expansion into fintech. However, industry experts caution that many companies focus on quick wins rather than long-term strategic impacts, stressing the importance of scaling successful AI implementations. As telcos innovate, the emphasis is on evolving from traditional connectivity to becoming full-fledged tech platforms.