AI will be integrated into all aspects of 6G, from user devices to base stations to the network core. This combination with Integrated Sensing and Communications will provide capabilities not seen in previous wireless generations.
The upcoming 6G mobile networks will be revolutionary, designed with AI as a core feature from the outset. Unlike 4G and 5G, where AI mainly improved network tasks, 6G will utilize AI for a wider range of decisions and optimizations. AI will play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity with intelligent capabilities.
In Release 20, the 3GPP standards community is exploring how AI and ML can optimize the air interface, building on previous work in 5G. This includes using one-sided and two-sided AI models to enhance mobility management and efficiency.
Figure 1. In 6G, AI will be everywhere from the radio to the network core.
The transformative impact of AI on 6G networks will be pervasive, enhancing performance at all levels. Figure 1 illustrates how AI and cloud computing will impact the radio and network core.
AI will enable new categories of end-user services at the application level, ranging from personalized experiences to ultra-reliable applications.
AI-driven automation in the core network will streamline orchestration tasks, self-heal disruptions, and dynamically adapt to traffic demands with minimal human intervention.
Figure 2. AI will enter user devices, operate at the network edge, and in the telecom network itself.
Machine learning in radio access will optimize network planning, improve Quality of Service, and enhance end-user experiences. Adaptive algorithms at the base station level will optimize radio performance.
Building networks that think for themselves
6G networks will sense, process, and respond intelligently in milliseconds, utilizing AI at every layer from user devices to the network core. These AI models will need to be dynamic and trained to adapt to evolving conditions.
Figure 3. Operating in base station and user device radios, AI will improve connections and optimize resources.
AI will enhance radio operation, improve beamforming, predict user movements, manage interference, and optimize channel estimation, leading to faster speeds, stable connections, and better battery life.
AI will also revolutionize mobile device usage, providing new AI services for smartphones and smart glasses to deliver personalized, real-time responses while respecting user privacy.
Radio design for new applications
6G radios will allocate resources dynamically, adjust coding based on conditions, use AI-enhanced video codecs, and enhance machine-based processing for Mobile AI applications.
Split-squeeze computing can optimize AI applications by balancing latency and power consumption across devices, improving efficiency and reliability.
Communicating and sensing at the same time
Figure 4. 6G is expected to combine integrated communication with sensing, which could help detect objects and people.
Integrated Sensing and Communication in 6G will enable networks to sense the environment and use radio signals for data transmission and sensing. AI will interpret sensing data for applications like predictive maintenance and industrial safety systems.
Sensing motion
The combination of AI and 6G will enhance mobility for autonomous vehicles, enabling real-time route adjustments and responses to hazards with ultra-low latency and high reliability.
AI on the device in 6G will shift towards creating, streaming, and collaborating in real-time, reducing network load and power consumption while enhancing privacy and efficiency.
Implications for engineers
AI-native 6G will impact design processes, requiring AI techniques embedded into communication systems, AI-aware hardware, and real-time allocation of network resources based on AI predictions.
These changes will result in self-optimizing networks that support new services, requiring collaboration among research bodies, industry leaders, and global standard organizations.
AI as the brain of 6G
AI will be the brain of 6G networks, learning from the environment, making real-time decisions, and optimizing networks without human intervention, ushering in a new era of connectivity.
The convergence of AI and 6G will elevate mobile connectivity, enabling safer transportation, smarter industries, and richer experiences.
