NEW WHITE PAPER
Beyond Connectivity:
Telecom’s AI-Driven Future in 5G-Advanced
Strategic insights on AI integration in 5G-Advanced
We need AI-native networks and we won’t get there on autopilot. The foundation must be laid in 5G-Advanced.
Bend the curve now. 5G-Advanced is the build phase: data pipelines, closed-loop control, and model placement across edge/core.
The flywheel that unlocks value: AI for networking drives autonomy; networking for AI powers every enterprise workload.
6G needs AI-native foundation now. The decisive moves needs to be put in place in 5G-Advanced to pave the way for 6G.
Azita Arvani, Stanford Sloan Fellow
Telecom & AI Executive; Former CEO, Rakuten Symphony Americas; Board Director
Azita Arvani is a global telecom and AI executive, board director, and former CEO whose deep expertise spans networks, cloud, and AI, with a focus on their fusion. She currently serves on the board of Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC), where she advises on AI-enabled automation and data-driven industrial innovation, and previously served on the board of Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI), a pioneer in AR and wearable computing.
As CEO of Rakuten Symphony Americas, Azita built and led the business from the ground up, launching AI-powered and cloud-native networking technologies to major operators and public sector partners. Earlier in her career, she held global innovation leadership roles at Nokia and advised Fortune 500 firms and startups (including DOCOMO) on emerging technologies.
A forward voice in the convergence of AI and telecom, she presented “AI’s Third Pillar” at the 2024 MIT AI Summit—highlighting the vital role of networks in enabling AI at scale. Known for bridging strategy and execution, Azita brings a rare mix of board-level perspective and hands-on leadership to building what’s next.
Minoru (Mick) Etoh, Ph.D.
Professor, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University
Dr. Etoh started his career at Panasonic and later joined NTT DOCOMO, as an active MPEG contributor, he was among the engineers who first proposed MP-4 and later became a major contributor to the H.264 standard, which earned an Engineering Emmy® Award in 2008. He has served as President & CEO of DoCoMo Communications Laboratories USA, CEO of NTT DOCOMO Ventures, and Senior Vice President & Managing Director of R&D Planning at NTT DOCOMO. His expertise spans innovation management, venture capital, cloud computing, digital transformation, social-system design, and AI-driven telecom services. He received his Ph.D. from Osaka University and holds additional degrees from Hiroshima University