The telco industry has long been plagued by sluggish software development cycles that stretch across months and years. But operators are now building and deploying AI-powered solutions in weeks using what Microsoft calls "hypervelocity engineering."

In this episode, I'm talking with Robin Cole, vice president of engineering at Microsoft, who works with telcos on their biggest technical challenges. She explains how operators like AT&T, KT Corporation, and Telefónica are using Microsoft tools and methodology to speed development timelines and modernize operations.

Listen now to hear:

• The three components of hypervelocity engineering that accelerate development [04:13];
• The spectrum between AI augmentation and full automation [07:00];
• How AT&T is benefiting from Microsoft's AI advancements [12:33];
• How KT Corporation is transforming its entire development strategy with Microsoft [13:34].

Links and Resources:

• Watch Robin discuss Microsoft’s hypervelocity engineering at TM Forum’s DTW Ignite.
• Learn more about Microsoft’s Azure AI Foundry.
• Read about Microsoft Copilot Studio, a low-code/no-code AI development environment. 
• Discover GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant.
• Read Microsoft’s blog, Microsoft AI ignites telecom innovation and growth.
• See how AT&T improved operations and employee experiences with Azure.
• Read about KT Corporation’s partnership with Microsoft to accelerate AI innovation in Korea.
• Check out Telefónica and Microsoft’s collaboration to co-develop digital solutions using Open Gateway.
• Watch Microsoft Copilot interview Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella as part of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Microsoft.
• Find out how Totogi's BSS Magic can turn your AI development tools into telecom powerhouses at the NOVACOM Summit in Cape Town, September 23-25. DM me on LinkedIn or X @TelcoDR to set up a time to meet.
• Did you catch Robin’s Bugs Bunny reference when she says “took a hard right turn at Albuquerque”? Check out this compilation of all the times Bugs Bunny says his iconic line.
• Check out this episode on our YouTube channel.
• You can find the episode transcript here.

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This week’s guest
Robin Cole is an accomplished business development, marketing, and engineering program management executive with 25 years of experience in Fortune 100 companies and startups. Her professional experience includes Sony, where she managed worldwide strategy and business development for Sony Electronics and Sony Corporation; Apple, where she led program management efforts across the MacBook portfolio of products; and Microsoft, where she has held a number of marketing, business development, sales and program management leadership roles across a variety of products. 

Podcast Credits

• Executive Producer and Host: Danielle Rios, TelcoDR
• Senior Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media
• Senior Editor/Brand Manager: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing
• Audio Editor: Andrew Condell
• Supervising Producer: Amanda Avery
• Associate Producer: Kriselda Dionisio
• Music: Dyami Wilson

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