The GSMA (GSM Association) has entered into a strategic collaboration with IBM, aiming to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance AI-related skills within the telecommunications sector.
The partnership is a response to the growing trend among telecom operators who are either exploring or expediting the deployment of generative AI.
According to research from GSMA Intelligence, 56% of surveyed operators are actively testing generative AI solutions, demonstrating a heightened focus on this technology compared to other priority areas.
As part of this collaboration, the GSMA is introducing the AI training initiative through GSMA Advance, an educational arm of the association.
The training program, the first in a new series of courses, is designed to empower telecom leaders with essential skills for navigating the AI landscape and addressing skills gaps within the industry.
The training sessions will leverage IBM’s watsonx AI and data platform and will cover a spectrum of topics, from fundamental AI principles to specialised applications in the telecommunications domain.
Physical training sessions will be conducted at IBM offices in Dubai, London, Mexico, New York, and Seoul in 2024. Additionally, a digital version of the program will be available in multiple languages, focusing on the business strategy and technological fundamentals of generative AI.
Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer of the GSMA, emphasized the transformative potential of AI for the telecom industry, citing estimates that AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Sinclair stressed the importance of democratising AI to ensure widespread benefits across the connectivity industry.
The GSMA Foundry generative AI program is another facet of this collaboration, aimed at assisting telecom industry players in exploring industry-specific use cases. This initiative is expected to enhance cost leadership, foster revenue growth, and elevate the overall customer experience.
Stephen Rose, General Manager of Global Industries at IBM, expressed IBM’s commitment to supporting the telecom industry’s training needs through this collaboration, highlighting the substantial opportunities generative AI can create for communication service providers in optimising existing processes.
The collaboration between GSMA and IBM extends beyond training programs, as GSMA Foundry and IBM plan to launch a series of generative AI industry programs and challenges.
These initiatives will explore the application of generative AI across various domains within telecom providers, fostering innovation and advancing the industry’s capabilities in AI technologies.
