As the industry moves toward 6G, AI is set to play a crucial role in optimizing wireless networks and IoT connectivity. Tingfang Ji, VP of Engineering at Qualcomm, explains how AI is already enhancing 5G by improving network efficiency, automating operations, and optimizing traffic management. With 6G on the horizon, AI will be embedded into networks from day one, enabling seamless compute integration and smarter connectivity solutions.
IoT adoption has faced challenges, but lessons from 5G are shaping a more efficient future. Qualcomm is ensuring that 6G IoT will be both backward and forward compatible, making long-term deployments more sustainable. With AI-driven automation and hybrid AI distribution between devices and networks, Qualcomm is driving the next wave of intelligent wireless innovation. Learn more about what’s next for connectivity.
Speaker 1:
Hello everyone and welcome back to FNTV right here in Barcelona, the city that is trying to steal the title of the Windy City. Well, I am so happy to be joined now by Ting Fang Ji of Qualcomm, and we're going to talk about 6G, we're going to talk about AI and wireless networks and IoT. Ting Fang, great to see you. Thanks for coming to see us today.
Ting Fang Ji:
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1:
Absolutely. Now I wanted to really dig into the role of AI as we move forward with our standards. So as we go from 5G to 6G, how do you see the role of AI evolving? Are there any particular challenges we should be thinking about?
Ting Fang Ji:
That's a great question. I think AI is the buzzword of the day for sure. And even in 5G we have been trying to define AI in two aspects, both in using AI to optimize the network and putting AI into the actual interface. You mentioned challenges. Yes, there are challenges, but challenges are also opportunities. So I actually see it as a great opportunity for anyone who want to make a difference in 6G. It's not a easy problem to solve. So actually this is a great opportunity.
One of the challenges that we have in implementing AI is you do need compute, for AI to work, you need data and you need to compute. So in 5G, of course, we can implement our solutions with data collection and with adding additional compute into the devices and into the network. When 6G comes, when AI become a native part of the interface, then you can plan ahead of time, not like, I already deployed my network, to add AI, I have to add more compute. Now from day one, you'll integrate compute into your network and you integrate the compute into your modem and your device. So I think that's, sort of from commercialization perspective, that's the biggest challenge.
Technically, of course, AI have to compete with the traditional or classic designs, which is model-based, not data-based. So far we've seen quite a bit of gains in some of channel state feedback. It's very technical. It's something called MIMO, multiple input multiple output technology, millimeter wave technology, positioning technology, new services, mobility. So there are many topics that AI can help address and in 6G there's a potential and there's challenges to make it happen. But we're super excited about it.
Speaker 1:
Absolutely. And of course, we've been talking as an industry about IoT for a while, but as we move on to 6G, surely there are some opportunities as you say, or challenges perhaps as well.
Ting Fang Ji:
IoT is a must-have for 6G. In 5G we talk about IoT, we talk about the mission-critical IoT, we talk about massive IoT. The technology is there, but the adoption is not the greatest. So everyone has some disappointment because what we realize is communication part of IoT is just one piece of the puzzle. Now, with experience and lessons we learned from 5G, we identified many issues we can solve in IoT. So one of the solution we have is to make sure 6G IoT is both backward compatible and forward compatible. What that means is you deploy IoT device, it can last for 20 years. You don't worry about I have to rip it out, the network support and everything. So this technology in terms of compatibility is one thing.
The second one is we're going to bake the IoT technology into our smartphone. What that means is you don't have to, after roll out your 6G network, oh, I need to add another network to support IoT. No, the network you rolled out for smartphone, for enhanced mobile broadband can natively support IoT as well. So there are a lot of opportunities to do something different and more efficient, cost-effective, in terms of support IoT in 6G.
Speaker 1:
Very exciting. Now to close out here, I wanted to ask you, in the now, obviously as you said, AI is the topic of the day, how can AI be used now today with existing networks to better automate them and optimize them?
Ting Fang Ji:
That's a great question. 6G is still a few years away. There are so many things we can do already with AI. Of course, everyone probably heard about the on-device AI. That's on all the great Snapdragon chipsets, and also hybrid AI is the next big thing. Because although on device we can handle a lot of AI workload, but AI can also be hybrid. You can have the workload being optimally distributed between the device and the network. That's AI application.
But AI itself can also be used to make sure the scheduling, the load balancing, the mobility and the management of the RAN, radio area network, is efficient. And make sure you can predict the traffic, you can diagnose issues, the faults that you're going to see. So there are a lot of innovations that's happening in terms of using AI to make current 5G network better. And Qualcomm, we do have some business in it. So we're working with our partners in terms of how to use AI to make 5G network run smoothly, more efficient and create more value.
Speaker 1:
I'm sure. And it's always great to hear everything that you guys are working on. Listen, Ting Fang, thank you so much for dropping by our studio. I'm sure it's a very busy week and these are big topics and you've done a great job of explaining them to us in just a few minutes.
Ting Fang Ji:
Thank you. Thank you for having me. Appreciate it.