From Assisted to Autonomous Networks: How AI Is Reshaping Telecom

This talk provides an accessible introduction to how AI is reshaping the telecom industry-from today's assisted automation to the future of fully autonomous, self-operating systems. Attendees will gain the knowledge of the evolution from predictive and generative AI to agentic and autonomous AI, and how these technologies enable networks to sense, decide, and act in real time. The session will highlight key concepts such as intent-driven automation, closed-loop control, and cross-domain orchestration, along with practical examples that help connect emerging AI trends with real-world network transformation and business impact. AI raises the floor for entry-level engineers while amplifying the leverage of domain experts. The author calls for investing deliberately in retooling experienced talent and mentoring emerging engineers to develop genuine domain understanding alongside AI fluency, as human judgment, contextual knowledge, and accountability become more essential in autonomous networks.