In this episode of Carrier 2.0, host Steve Saunders explores what it really takes to build an AI driven network. In a rapid expert montage, Cisco’s Guru Shenoy, Rana El Desouky Kazamel and Masum Mir explain how AI agents will reshape traffic patterns, why the edge becomes critical, and the architectural pillars carriers need to put in place. Verizon’s Yago Tenorio offers a clear-eyed reality check on Open RAN. The episode then shifts to a “Truth to Power” segment from China, asking what AI and automation mean for human workers, and whether a hybrid human plus machine model represents the most ethical and resilient future for Industry 4.0.

Guru opens the montage by explaining how the rise of intelligent AI agents fundamentally changes network behaviour. Instead of short bursts of traffic, carriers will see long-running, task-driven sessions that create more sustained and complex flows. These agents also interact with multiple inference clouds, placing new demands on latency, routing and scalability across the network.

Rana discusses why AI requires a shift in network design. AI workloads sharply increase upstream traffic as data moves toward models, which pushes more processing and capability toward the edge. She highlights the need for platforms where networking, security and automation operate together to support next-generation AI services.

Masum outlines Cisco’s foundational pillars for preparing networks for AI. High-performance, energy-efficient silicon must stretch from the core to the deep edge, while AI driven operations will move carriers closer to autonomous networking. He emphasises integrating security into the network fabric and notes the advantage carriers hold with their distributed data centre and power infrastructure.

Yago offers a grounded view of Open RAN’s progress. He explains what the technology has genuinely achieved, where challenges remain and how Open RAN is likely to fit into an AI heavy future rather than replace existing architectures all at once.

The episode shifts to a segment from China exploring what digital industrialisation means for workers. It highlights that the impact of AI depends as much on leadership philosophy and national regulation as it does on technology. Telecom emerges as an industry actively committed to keeping humans meaningfully involved.

The episode concludes with a more hopeful view, suggesting that the future may lie in hybrid human–machine systems where AI enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them, creating a more ethical and resilient direction for Industry 4.0.

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This show is brought to you by FNTV, supported by Cisco.