Telcos and IBM collaborate on genAI use case training

In order to assist telecom executives in maximizing the potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), the mobile operator association, the GSMA, has partnered with the business computer giant, IBM, to introduce a training program.

Through the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program, telco members will have access to IBM Watsonx, an AI and data platform, to investigate creative use cases of generative AI tailored to particular industries.

Both organizations asserted in a statement that generative AI has "tremendous potential" to enhance business operations and customer engagement.

"Customer service, IT, and network optimization are all areas where automation can significantly help increase agility and efficiency. Generative AI can help transform these areas," the GSMA stated.

This year, IBM offices in Dubai, London, Mexico, New York, and Seoul will host training sessions. The telco group also announced that an online training program will be accessible in a number of languages.

The curriculum will also be made available digitally, with an emphasis on software architects and developers, to aid with the technical foundations and business strategy of generative AI.

The announcement comes after IBM released its most recent AI Adoption Index, which revealed that 45% of telcos polled had expedited the adoption of AI while 40% were investigating or experimenting with generative AI.

According to GSMA Intelligence research, mid-sized and smaller operators were less likely to employ generative AI solutions, even though 56% of operators questioned are actively trialling them—a rate higher than any other priority technology.

According to Alex Sinclair, CTO of GSMA, democratizing AI is "critical" to ensuring that all segments of the connectivity sector and their clients, no matter where in the globe, profit.

"The key to achieving this is bringing operators access to AI tools and knowledge, along with the necessary skills, access, and training," he continued.

AI is being used by EY in other sectors to simplify legal paperwork.