India Hosts ITU FG-AINN Meeting on AI-Native Telecom Networks

As the world increasingly embraces artificial intelligence (AI), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is taking significant steps to integrate AI into telecommunication networks. The third meeting of the ITU-T Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence Native for Telecommunication Networks (FG-AINN) commenced today in New Delhi, organized by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This three-day event aims to explore the transformative potential of AI in telecommunications, highlighting India’s initiatives and the global implications of AI-native networks.

Significance of AI-Native Networks

During the inaugural session, Mr. Sanjeev Bidwai, a member of the Digital Communications Commission, emphasized that AI-Native Networks (AI-NN) signify a revolutionary change in telecom design. He pointed out the increasing influence of AI in the standards set by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which facilitates intelligent orchestration across various domains. Mr. Bidwai showcased India’s commitment to advancing AI in telecommunications, mentioning initiatives like ‘Bharat Gen,’ the country’s first indigenously developed AI-based Multimodal Large Language Model for Indian languages. He also referenced projects led by Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT) that focus on AI-driven network automation and digital twins. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ethical AI deployment, advocating for explainability, digital sovereignty, and the evolution of regulatory frameworks to ensure secure and inclusive AI applications.

Global Perspectives on AI in Telecommunications

In a video address, Mr. Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau at ITU, highlighted the immense potential of AI-native networks to enhance performance through intelligent automation and real-time optimization. He underscored that these advancements could lead to self-managing networks capable of adapting to user needs dynamically. Ms. Atsuo Okuda, ITU Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, echoed this sentiment, noting the region’s critical role as a hub for digital innovation. She emphasized that AI-native networks are vital for developing smart, secure, and responsive communication systems, particularly in bridging the digital divide and supporting emerging use cases in sectors like smart cities, healthcare, and education.

India’s Bid for ITU Leadership

During the meeting, India sought the support of ITU members for its bid to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2030 (PP-30). The country also aims to secure continued membership in the upcoming ITU Council for the term 2027-2031. Additionally, India nominated Ms. M. Revathi as the first woman and first regional candidate for the Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau for the period 2027-2030. The event saw participation from various dignitaries, including Mr. Niraj Verma, Administrator of the Digital Broadcasting Network, and other senior officials from the DoT, along with academicians and industry representatives from both India and abroad.

Future Directions and Collaborative Efforts

The FG-AINN meeting marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of AI-native telecommunication networks, with the potential to revolutionize global communications. The focus group, established by ITU-T Study Group 13 in July 2024, aims to redefine network architecture to fully leverage AI technologies. By embedding AI at the core of telecom networks, the initiative seeks to create self-optimizing, resilient systems that ensure seamless connectivity and improved user experiences. The upcoming FG-AINN Build-a-thon, scheduled for June 13, 2025, will further foster collaboration among experts from academia, industry, and startups to develop practical AI-driven solutions. This event will include technical discussions and interactive sessions aimed at advancing research and shaping future standards in intelligent telecom systems, ultimately benefiting users across diverse regions.

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