When AI meets 5G
NO, this is not a love story about two digital entities falling for each other. Rather, this is about the bolt-in of two cutting-edge technologies of our time — artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G mobile network.
And it’s not a mere conjecture drawn from perceptions of the emerging awesome capabilities of both digital platforms. AI and 5G, being two of the most revolutionary technologies today, can transform the way the world works. The link between AI and 5G will have a significant impact on the population as well as how AI and ML (Machine Learning) can be used within the 5G network to attain efficiency, optimization and maximum revenue generation.
Direct benefits
– 5G and AI can help transform urban sprawls into smart cities that are more liveable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of their residents. The immediate beneficial services in smart cities include intelligent transportation systems, energy-efficient smart buildings, and data-driven public facilities that ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens.
– The safe and efficient functioning of autonomous vehicles hinges on the vaunted high-speed connectivity and low latency of 5G networks. In parallel with 5G, AI and ML will make these self-driving vehicles smarter thereby more responsive to their surroundings, constantly monitoring potential risks and hazards on the road.
– 5G and AI constitute a homeowner’s dream digital partner. In smart homes, AI-driven virtual assistants can control the room temperature, turn off lights when not in use, and even offer recommendations for energy savings for a better managed abode.
– 5G’s high-speed connectivity and low latency vastly improve AR and VR applications, while the added boost from AI and ML enhances immersive AR and VR experiences.
IoT power
5G technology’s high-speed connectivity is essential to the deployment of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, while AI allows for realtime processing and analysis of massive amounts of data generated by these devices.
– AI in IoT applications is already making a difference in critical sectors, health care services delivery being one of them. Wearable device sensors connected to 5G networks seamlessly monitor patient vitals and provide real-time data to health care providers. AI-driven data analytics then detect potential health issues and provide personalized treatment plans to patents.
– In the manufacturing industry, IoT devices collect production data in real time, which are then analyzed by AI algorithms, optimizing workflow efficiency at the factory floor.
ML in the mix
Within the 5G network, AI and ML improve performance and efficiency, as follows:
– To deliver optimal efficiency, AI and ML algorithms can predict traffic patterns and adjust the network accordingly.
– The immense analytical power of AI and ML to crunch large amounts of data in real time generates insights that can be used in network optimization, security analysis and personalization of services.
– By seamlessly identifying anomalies in the network traffic in real time, AI and ML can detect and prevent cyberattacks on the 5G network even before they occur.
– 5G networks enable edge computing, which brings computing muscle closer to the end-user, as AI and ML algorithms assist in processing data at the edge to improve response times.
Serious considerations
It’s not all hosannas for the AI-5G collaboration. When considering to deploy AI in their 5G networks, mobile service providers should weigh in the following implications:
– Deploying 5G networks entails a major investment in infrastructure. Meanwhile, AI will require specialized hardware and software, increasing the total cost of the enterprise. Additionally, integrating these complex technologies can pose serious operational challenges to businesses and organizations.
– As can be seen in some countries today, the integration of AI and 5G technologies raises ethical issues. For instance, depending on AI algorithms to make decisions that impact people’s lives, or to replace or displace jobs is a sure-fire formula for moral quandary, if not social unrest.
– As 5G networks connect more devices and generate more dataL the risk of cyberattacks multiplies. AI algorithms rely on data, and any breach in the security of data can bring significant damage to businesses and individuals, as well.
What lies ahead
From creating smart homes to autonomous vehicles, the fusion of AI and 5G promises to change people’s lives for the better. AI and ML can help enhance the user’s experience while simultaneously also improving the performance and efficiency of the 5G network itself.
AI is a rapidly developing arena. As we hurtle into an increasingly connected big data-oriented world, AI will take on greater significance in people’s lives, cutting across income classes.
Both rich and poor will be swept up in the aftermath. But tread with caution. There will definitely be significant challenges in privacy, security and ethical fronts that will have to be addressed asap.