The Mobile World Congress is one of the annual highlights of the global technology industry. It allows one to see, hear, and feel the pulse that sets the direction and pace of development. The key trends driving the technology sector forward this year – artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and network technologies – were prominently featured in almost every keynote speech and exhibition stand. One trend, however, stood out above the rest.
- AI x network optimisation. AI is enhancing networks and inherent operations. For example, base stations can have additional computing power to facilitate machine learning models. Real-time optimisation via AI improves network performance, enhances management via automation, and reduces both maintenance costs and energy consumption. AI enables the utilisation of self-learning and autonomous network services with capabilities to optimise operations in real time continuously. This leads to better user experiences and cultivates the emergence of new services.
- AI x cybersecurity. AI helps detect potential data breaches in advance. Scanning event streams for anomalies and threats is much faster with AI-powered cybersecurity solutions than traditional methods. Conventional cybersecurity measures are no longer sufficient, as threats or vulnerabilities may lie hidden within complex services long before activation. Cybersecurity needs will be critical in the near future with the influx of new network-edge devices. Adhering to the Zero Trust model, every user, connection, and device must be subject to strong authentication and close monitoring.
- AI x industrial processes. Fifth-generation mobile networks are evolving towards the next phase of evolution, particularly in industrial and production environments. This also holds for IoT applications, which play a key role in autonomous manufacturing and smart city services. The greatest benefits of 5G and AI lie within the manufacturing industry: combining factory-ready private networks and AI analytics enables smart factories where machinery, vehicles, sensors, and humans interact seamlessly.
- AI x secure digital platforms. New network technologies enable precise positioning and lag-free communication. Thanks to API interfaces and network slicing, companies can leverage network functions to enhance security to prevent cybercrimes or optimise service processes via automation. These new solutions promise to improve occupational safety by monitoring employee locations and sending alerts in dangerous situations.
The challenge of AI: rapid development is outpacing strategy
The advancements showcased at the Mobile World Congress demonstrated that the leaps in AI development are far ahead of their practical utilisation. There is ample evidence of AI's potential, but the focus must shift to how these opportunities can be transformed into successful business models.
Progress toward business benefits is hampered by security, privacy, and ethics concerns, but most importantly, by the lack of AI strategies bridging the gap between hype and real-world application. The next challenge for corporate leadership is to find ways to commercialise AI innovations and integrate them into tangible, sustainable business solutions. This requires an understanding of the technology's potential, new ways of thinking, and fresh perspectives from the organisation's entire workforce.
The event solidified the notion that innovation isn't created in a vacuum. The greatest advancements are achieved when collaboration between technology companies, customers, and ecosystems flourishes. Many speakers emphasised human-centric innovation, improving people's lives rather than focusing solely on new technical capabilities. It is crucial to involve professionals who understand everyday operational models to translate these new capabilities into business insight.
AI paves the way for new services, with efficient and high-quality networks providing the foundation. Finland is in an exceptionally strong position in this regard. As one of the world's most advanced mobile nations, we are well-prepared for AI innovations – that is to say, the tracks have been laid, but we're still lacking trains. Moving forward requires a collective business understanding co-created by experts across various industries.
We need growth, and growth stems from innovation. Read how a culture of experimentation and continuous learning can lead to an AI revolution!
