How To Become an AI-Native Telco

Telecommunications companies (telcos) are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to boost profitability, expand service offerings, enhance quality, and improve customer experience. The industry has moved beyond simply testing AI tools to actively integrating and scaling them, including the use of generative AI (gen AI).

Communications service providers (CSPs) are now aiming to become “AI-native telcos,” positioning themselves to play a central role in the broader AI value chain. This shift is driven by the potential for AI to deliver significant gains in revenue, cost efficiency, and operational performance.

However, to fully realize these benefits, telcos must overcome several key challenges. These include aligning AI strategies with business goals, ensuring data quality and governance, managing integration with legacy systems, and addressing talent and cultural gaps. Successfully navigating these hurdles will be essential for telcos to unlock AI’s full potential and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.