Telecommunications Industry Embraces AI: NVIDIA Survey Highlights Key Trends

The telecommunications sector is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive efficiencies and enhance operations, according to a recent survey conducted by NVIDIA. The study, titled the 'State of AI in Telecommunications,' provides insights into how AI is being integrated into various facets of the industry, including customer experience and network operations.

Rising AI Adoption in Telecommunications

NVIDIA's survey, which polled over 450 telecommunications professionals globally, indicates a significant rise in AI adoption. A prominent trend highlighted by the survey is the deployment of AI into radio access networks (RANs), with more than a third of respondents planning to invest in AI-RAN. The momentum for AI usage is further evident in the variety of applications being explored, from generative AI to network optimization.

Key findings from the survey reveal that nearly all respondents are either deploying or assessing AI projects. Notably, 84% of participants indicated that AI contributes to increased annual revenue, while 77% reported reductions in annual operating costs. Furthermore, 60% cited improved employee productivity as a major benefit of AI integration.

Business Impact and Future Prospects

The survey underscores AI's substantial impact on business metrics within the telecom industry. With 84% of respondents acknowledging revenue growth due to AI, and 21% attributing a more than 10% revenue increase in specific areas, confidence in AI's business value is growing. Additionally, 77% of participants noted cost savings attributed to AI, underscoring its role in operational efficiency.

Looking forward, 80% of telecom professionals believe AI is crucial for their company’s future success, and two-thirds plan to boost spending on AI infrastructure in the coming year. This focus on AI investment highlights the industry's commitment to staying ahead in a competitive landscape.

AI Integration in Network Operations

AI's role in network operations is expanding, with 37% of survey respondents investing in AI for network planning and operations. The survey also notes that 33% have invested in AI for field-operations optimization over the past year. As telecom companies explore AI's potential, the technology is being utilized for 5G monetization, 6G research, and development, with 66% aiming to deploy AI services on RAN for operational efficiency.

Generative AI's Growing Influence

Generative AI is gaining traction in telecommunications, with over half of the survey participants already deploying their first use case, and another third planning to do so within the year. Of those adopting generative AI, 84% intend to offer solutions externally to customers, with 52% opting for a software-as-a-service model and 35% providing a platform for developers.

NVIDIA's survey indicates a trend towards utilizing multiple approaches for AI development, including in-house and open-source capabilities, reflecting the diverse strategies telecom companies are adopting to harness AI's potential.

For more detailed insights and findings, refer to the full State of AI in Telecommunications: 2025 Trends report.