NVIDIA and Telecom industry leaders to develop AI-Native wireless networks for 6G

6G word glowing on a blue background

NVIDIA unveiled partnerships with T-Mobile, MITRE, Cisco, ODC, a portfolio company of Cerberus Capital Management, and Booz Allen Hamilton on the research and development of artificial intelligence (AI)-native wireless network hardware, software and architecture for 6G.

Next-generation wireless networks must be fundamentally integrated with AI to connect hundreds of billions of phones, sensors, cameras, robots and autonomous vehicles. AI-native wireless networks will provide enhanced services for billions of users and set new standards in spectral efficiency — the rate at which data can be transmitted over a given bandwidth. They will also offer performance and resource utilisation while creating new revenue streams for telecommunications companies.

“Next-generation wireless networks will be revolutionary, and we have an unprecedented opportunity to ensure AI is woven in from the start,” said Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “Working with leaders in the field, we’re building an AI-enhanced 6G network that achieves extreme spectral efficiency.”

Open ecosystems drive innovation

Research-driven breakthroughs harnessing the power of AI are necessary to maximise the performance and benefits of AI-native wireless networks. To drive innovation, NVIDIA is collaborating with telco and research leaders to develop an AI-native wireless network stack based on the NVIDIA AI Aerial platform, which provides software-defined radio access networks (RANs) on the NVIDIA accelerated computing platform.

Developers across the globe are building AI-RAN as a precursor to AI-native 6G wireless networks. AI-RAN is a technology that brings AI and RAN workloads together on one platform and embeds AI into radio signal processing.

To deliver enhanced spectral efficiency and lower operational complexity and costs, AI will be fully embedded into the network stack’s software and hosted over a unified accelerated infrastructure, capable of running both network and AI workloads. Also at the solution’s core will be end-to-end security and an open architecture to foster rapid innovation.

T-Mobile and NVIDIA will expand their AI-RAN Innovation Centre collaboration announced last year with the goal of providing additional research-based concepts for AI-native 6G network capabilities, working alongside these new industry collaborators.

“This is an exciting next step to the AI-RAN Innovation Centre efforts we began last September at our Capital Markets Day in partnership with NVIDIA,” said Mike Sievert, the CEO of T-Mobile. “Working with these additional industry leaders on research to natively integrate AI into the network as we begin the journey to 6G will enable the network performance, efficiency and scale to power the next generation of experiences that customers and businesses expect.”

As the founding research partner, MITRE, a not-for-profit research and development organisation, will research, prototype and contribute open, AI-driven services and applications, such as for agentic network orchestration and security, dynamic spectrum sharing and 6G-integrated sensing and communications.

“MITRE is working with NVIDIA to help make AI-native 6G a reality,” said Mark Peters, the president and CEO of MITRE. “By integrating AI into 6G in the beginning, we can solve a wide range of problems, from enhancing service delivery to unlocking required spectrum availability to fuel wireless growth. Through all of our collaborations with NVIDIA, we look forward to creating impact in 6G, AI, simulation, transportation and more.”

Cisco plans to take a lead position in this collaboration as the provider of mobile core and network technologies and will tap into its existing service provider reach and expertise.

“With 6G on the horizon, it’s critical for the industry to work together to build AI-native networks for the future,” said Chuck Robbins, the chair and CEO of Cisco. “Cisco is at the forefront of developing secure infrastructure technology for AI, and we are proud to work with NVIDIA and the broader ecosystem to create an AI-enhanced network that improves performance, reliability and security for our customers.”

ODC, a portfolio company of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., will deliver cutting-edge layer 2 and layer 3 software for distributed and centralised units of virtual RAN as part of the AI-native radio access stack. Tapping into decades of experience in large-scale mobile systems, ODC is pioneering next-generation AI-native 5G open RAN (ORAN), surpassing existing networks and paving the way for 6G evolution.

“The mobile industry has always taken advantage of advances in other technology fields, and today, no technology is more central than AI,” said Shaygan Kheradpir, the chairman of the advisory board of ODC. “ODC is at the forefront of developing and deploying AI-native ORAN 2.0 networks, enabling service providers to on-ramp seamlessly from 5G to 6G by taking advantage of the vast AI ecosystem to redefine the future of connectivity.”

As a leader in AI and cybersecurity to the federal government, Booz Allen will develop AI RAN algorithms and secure the AI-native 6G wireless platform. Its NextG lab will conduct functional, performance integration and security testing to ensure the resiliency and security of the platform against the most sophisticated adversaries. The company will lead field trials for advanced use cases such as autonomy and robotics.

“The future of wireless communications starts today, and it’s all about AI,” said Horacio Rozanski, the chairman and CEO of Booz Allen. “Booz Allen has the technologies to make AI-native 6G networks a reality and revolutionise secure communications for an entirely new generation of intelligent platforms and applications.”

Expanded aerial research portfolio

These collaborations build on NVIDIA’s AI-RAN and 6G research ecosystem, supported by advancements in the NVIDIA Aerial research portfolio for developing, training, simulating and deploying AI-native wireless innovations.

New additions to the NVIDIA Aerial Research portfolio, also announced today, include the Aerial Omniverse Digital Twin Service, the Aerial Commercial Test Bed on NVIDIA MGX, NVIDIA Sionna 1.0 — building on the open-source Sionna library, which has nearly 150,000 downloads since its launch in 2022 — and the Sionna Research Kit on the NVIDIA Jetson accelerated computing platform. 

The NVIDIA Aerial Research portfolio serves over 2,000 members through the NVIDIA 6G Developer Program. Industry leaders and more than 150 higher-education and research institutions from the U.S. and around the world are harnessing the platform to accelerate 6G and AI-RAN innovation — paving the way for AI-native wireless networks.

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AI-driven 6G networks: The future of telecommunications

AI-native 6G networks will redefine connectivity, integrating AI for seamless optimization, security, and efficiency in mobile communications

Telecommunications is undergoing a major transformation with AI-native 6G networks.

AI is transforming industries, and telecommunications is no exception. With the rise of artificial intelligence, a new concept is emerging—AI-native telecommunications networks. These networks integrate AI from the ground up, shaping the design, deployment, and operation of mobile communication systems.

As researchers push the boundaries of what’s possible, the next generation of wireless technology—6G—will depend heavily on AI to drive efficiency, security, and performance.

The Shift Toward AI-Native Telecom Networks

Mobile networks have evolved significantly over the past few decades. Early generations focused on increasing data speeds, but 5G introduced a shift toward integrating cloud services and edge computing into telecommunications infrastructure. While this brought new efficiencies, the leap from 5G to 6G is expected to be even more transformative.

AI-native networks move away from static, rule-based models and embrace adaptive, learning-driven approaches. These systems use large-scale AI models, including Generalized Pretrained Transformers (GPT) and other machine-learning algorithms, to manage network operations intelligently.

Unlike traditional telecommunications infrastructure, which relies on pre-defined rules, AI-native networks continuously optimize themselves based on real-time data.

Lauri Lovén, Director of the Future Computing Group at the University of Oulu Finland, who coordinates the Distributed AI research line in the national 6G Flagship research programme. (CREDIT: University of Oulu)

A crucial component of this vision is the AI Interconnect, a system that enables AI-driven decision-making within the network. This advancement enhances network performance in key areas, such as radio signal optimization, resource allocation, and security management. The ability to dynamically select, provision, update, and create AI models within the network will lead to smarter, more efficient communications systems.

The Role of Large Language Models in 6G

Large language models (LLMs) are at the core of this transformation. These AI-driven models process vast amounts of data, interpret human and machine-generated input, and execute complex operations with minimal human intervention. In the context of 6G, LLMs will serve multiple roles.

First, AI will be a tool for managing network operations, commonly referred to as “AI for RAN” (Radio Access Network). This approach enhances network efficiency by using machine learning to optimize signal transmission and traffic management.

Second, AI-based applications will leverage 6G connectivity to enable new services, an approach known as “AI with RAN.” From IoT devices to autonomous vehicles, these applications will rely on fast, intelligent networks to process and transmit data in real time.

Finally, AI will become an integral part of the network itself, referred to as “AI on RAN.” In this scenario, the network adapts AI capabilities dynamically, ensuring seamless integration between computing and communication functions.

According to Lauri Lovén, Director of the Future Computing Group at the University of Oulu and coordinator of the Distributed AI research line in Finland’s 6G Flagship research program, “During the first four generations of wireless, we got used to seeing data rates skyrocket to new heights at each turn, transforming the way people use the network. With 5G, the improvement didn’t feel quite as radical, even though it was taking place.

The focus of network development had shifted beyond improving the user experience, introducing various machine-to-machine communication scenarios and implementing network services using modern software development methods, making them easier and better to manage in many ways. Put simply, 5G integrated cloud services and edge computing into mobile networks. With 6G, wireless networks will be combined with artificial intelligence.”

This evolution sets the stage for a future where AI is not just a supplementary tool but a fundamental part of telecommunications infrastructure.

AI Interconnect’s cross-layer design across control, user, and application planes. (CREDIT: University of Oulu)

Research and Development in AI-Driven 6G Networks

The foundation for 6G is being laid today. The University of Oulu was the first in the world to publish a comprehensive 6G white paper in 2019, outlining key research directions. Since then, over a dozen scientific papers have expanded on various aspects of 6G, with a recent focus on AI integration.

The latest publication, Large Language Models in the 6G-Enabled Computing Continuum: A White Paper, presents a collaborative effort involving 46 researchers. Edited by Lovén and a team of international experts, the paper explores how AI and 6G will converge to create new communication paradigms.

“Our focus is on the technical aspects, but we also briefly discuss regulatory and application dimensions, as well as security and resilience,” Lovén explains.

“Research on AI methods and ethical concerns is excluded from this publication. The writing process was demanding, but we are pleased with the final result. During the writing, there were differences of opinion. A small group of authors decided to withdraw their contributions altogether because they felt the changes we proposed were too extensive.

No conflicts occurred, however. The rules of the game were clear from the start: the editors have the final say on content.”

By addressing both technical challenges and broader implications, researchers are helping shape policies and innovations that will define the future of telecommunications.

Taxonomy of LLMs for 6G, mapping the potential applications of LLMs to both 6G use cases and underlying network architecture enablers. The LLM controller serves as a hub, suggesting the cooperative and management roles LLMs can play in a 6G ecosystem. (CREDIT: University of Oulu)

The Future of AI-Driven Telecommunications

6G networks will introduce a new level of automation and intelligence. The integration of AI will not only improve network efficiency but also revolutionize the way data is transmitted, stored, and processed.

The implications extend beyond telecommunications. AI-driven networks will play a critical role in industries such as smart cities, autonomous transportation, and robotics.

The ability to process data at ultra-fast speeds with minimal latency will enable applications that were previously impossible.

“Of course, the technologies for different AI models are developing at a dizzying pace, and so are the applications. On the tele-networking and computing continuum, from local devices to cloud computing centers, these may change not only the content of data transmitted and processed but also the methods of managing the network and its computing capacity.

Meanwhile, we may soon have personal AI helpers, or even a whole army of them, and we can already see the enormous computing and data transmission requirements that will come with them,” Lovén says.

Ecosystems will harness the capabilities of 6G, targeting goals like smart cities, gender equality, and climate change mitigation. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0)

Despite rapid advancements, some challenges remain. AI development moves at an unprecedented speed, while telecommunications standards follow slower cycles.

A new generation of mobile networks typically takes a decade to reach widespread adoption. Given this timeline, researchers are already preparing for the expected launch of 6G in the early 2030s.

“This was necessary and worthwhile to get published. In AI research, five years is a very long time.

A lot can happen in a year! But data network cycles are slower. And standardization takes a long time. One G takes about ten years. 6G is expected to hit the consumer market sometime in the early 2030s. That’s why we’ve already been researching it for years,” Lovén explains.

From early human-to-human communication to AI-driven interactions, the evolution of wireless networks has been remarkable. The next step will see AI playing a central role in facilitating human-to-machine and even machine-to-machine communication.

As researchers push the limits of AI and telecommunications, the future of connectivity will be shaped by networks that learn, adapt, and evolve in real time. The AI-native telecom revolution is just beginning.

Source: www.thebrighterside.news

Writer: Joshua Shavit