By Jonny McCormick, Senior Solutions Architect at Ocient
If you’re a reader of this blog, you know that the telecommunications industry is in a constant state of change. Whether it’s 5G readiness or the Internet of Things (IoT), it’s an industry that must always adapt and innovate to integrate new technologies and keep up with consumer needs. Perhaps one of the most significant changes that this industry has ever experienced is the current focus on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI).
I heard this directly as a member of the Ocient team that recently attended the DTW 24 conference in Copenhagen, Sweden. DTW 24, also known as Digital Transformation World, is an annual event organized by TM Forum – a global association that helps businesses transform and navigate the digital world. This year’s conference theme was “Leading the way to an AI-native telco,” and it brought together industry experts, leaders, and innovators to discuss and share insights on how AI is set to transform telecommunications.
The potential of AI in the telecommunications sector is immense. From predicting trends to testing the waters of generative AI there is real potential to increase customer satisfaction – but only with the right data. With the increasing amount of data generated by customers using mobile devices, IoT devices, and other sources, telecom companies are looking for ways to make sense of this vast amount of information in the most efficient ways possible. This is where a lot of the conversations I had at DTW led – how can Ocient help companies analyze data, make predictions, optimize processes, and ultimately improve customer experiences to drive more revenue.
At DTW 24, I engaged with several providers exploring how to implement AI and the one consistent theme that I heard is the critical step of data preparation.
The Role of Data Preparation in Creating Efficient Use Cases for AI
The amount of data generated by the telecommunications industry is massive. However, without proper preparation and organization of this data before it’s analyzed, its potential remains largely untapped. This is where data preparation comes into play – it involves cleaning, transforming, and integrating data from various sources to make it usable for analysis.
During the conference, it was clear that preparing data is the key to creating efficient use cases for AI in telecommunications. Without clean and organized data, AI algorithms cannot provide accurate insights or predictions. Therefore, telecom companies must invest in robust data preparation tools and processes to fully reap the benefits of AI.
Other Areas of Focus at DTW 24
Attending DTW 24 was a great learning experience for our team at Ocient. We gained valuable insights into the current and future state of AI in telecommunications. Here are some key themes and lessons beyond data preparation that we took away from the conference:
- Collaboration is crucial: One recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of collaboration between telecom companies, technology providers, and other stakeholders. With AI being a relatively new concept in this industry, it requires a collaborative effort to develop successful use cases and solutions.
- Data quality matters: As mentioned earlier, data preparation plays a significant role in creating efficient use cases for AI. However, data quality is equally important – inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to faulty predictions and decisions. Telecom companies must prioritize data quality to fully leverage the power of AI.
- Ethical considerations are vital: With the use of AI, there also comes a responsibility for ethical use and transparency. As telecom companies collect vast amounts of customer data, it is crucial to have proper protocols in place to ensure privacy and fairness in AI algorithms.
The Future of AI in Telecommunications
Based on what we learned at DTW 24, it’s clear that AI will continue to play a significant role in shaping the future of telecommunications. From improving network performance and reliability to enhancing customer experiences through personalized offerings, the potential uses of AI in this industry are vast.
However, as with any technology, there will be challenges and obstacles to overcome. Telecom companies must continue to invest in data preparation, collaborate with experts and stakeholders, and prioritize ethical considerations to fully reap the benefits of AI.
As this industry continues to embrace digital transformation, we look forward to seeing the innovative ways in which AI will lead the way towards an “AI-native telco.”
If you’re interested in learning more about how Ocient will efficiently scale AI data infrastructure, check out the video below with our CEO Chris Gladwin.
Let’s continue to explore and push the boundaries of what AI can do in telecommunications. Get in touch today to learn more.