Artificial intelligence (AI) applications are possible without 5G. However, it’s only with fully realized 5G networks that the technology will reach its full potential. By expediting processes, reducing latency, and enabling automation, 5G promises to drive the uptake of AI and robotics across a range of industries – on the proviso, of course, that 5G networks meet organizations’ security and performance management needs.
Manufacturing transformed
The manufacturing sector is a case in point. Mobile operators are targeting manufacturing as one of the most important market opportunities for 5G. AI-related use cases for the technology include smart factories, smart ports, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) enabled campuses.
And as more standalone 5G networks come online, ultra-low latency networks will emerge, enabling multi-access edge computing, where processing takes place closer to the AI application or for example, a connected robot. Manufacturers will be able to cut the wires from their smart machinery, driving productivity while accelerating automation and human-robot interaction.
As this happens, transformational AI use cases including advanced predictive maintenance, automated guided vehicle, remote robot control, and precision monitoring & control will drive breakthrough efficiencies and help transform the face of manufacturing. It’s little wonder that 76% of manufacturers plan to use private 5G by 2024.
The digitalization of healthcare
The benefits to the healthcare sector of 5G-enabled AI are equally profound. Healthcare remains one of the least digitized sectors in the world. 5G promises to help healthcare organizations leapfrog technology and embrace advanced AI applications to drive innovative patient care and digital transformation for hospitals.
For instance, 5G will help telehealth conferences become much richer experiences by, for example, enabling the use of sensors and wearables to monitor vital signs during calls. Remote monitoring of sensors could also be used to keep patients out of hospital for as long as possible. The data generated in the process could also fuel diagnostic support applications, providing medics with real-time insights to help support better decision-making.
5G could also support AI-assisted surgery. With the low latency offered by 5G, robot assistants will be much more responsive, for the first time making remote surgery a real possibility. Imagine a world where specialist surgeons can lead operations regardless of where they are – even the remotest of locations will be accessible if there’s a dependable 5G connection in place.
Getting 5G right
The promise of 5G and AI in industry will only be realized if networks are deployed effectively. What are the key concerns in this respect?
Recent surveys of manufacturing and healthcare providers suggest that two things stand out: network security and performance management. Sixty-three percent of manufacturers and 63% of healthcare providers selected security as a standout consideration impacting the choice of 5G deployment. For manufacturers, performance management was the second most important consideration (47%), whereas for healthcare providers the ability to support a wide range of devices came joint first (63%).
So, while the appetite for 5G is most definitely there, security and performance issues will be a deal breaker – not surprising given the mission-critical use cases and extremely sensitive data involved. A performance issue in a smart factory could see operations shut down and costs mount. An issue in robotic surgery or remote healthcare could be catastrophic for patients.
Network monitoring tools will therefore be an essential part of the 5G story, crucial to providing operators and internal network management teams at organizations with the visibility and security they need. What sort of capabilities should network and application teams look for? I believe there are three core capabilities that will enable manufacturers and healthcare organizations to assure the quality and performance of their networks:
- Real-time streaming data. Network managers will need to be able to monitor data flowing from all devices and end points with automated systems flagging any potential security or performance issues before they become a problem.
- Visibility of applications everywhere. As more applications move into the cloud, being able to monitor and manage the performance of cloud-based applications will be critical. Given that visibility and performance metric data is typically lost when applications are moved to the cloud, virtual sensors should therefore be set up to capture the required data.
- AI-enabled analytics. As well as being a compelling use case for 5G, AI is also integral to network assurance. Given the volume and complexity of data that will come with 5G applications at scale, AI is required to process and interrogate data to identify anomalies. Done well, network managers can leverage advanced predictive maintenance to ensure against unexpected failures.
As the telecoms industry gathers for Mobile World Congress, real momentum is building behind 5G. It is a huge opportunity for carriers to drive new revenue streams and become strategic partners to their customers. And it’s an even bigger opportunity for organizations to accelerate their digital transformations. Key to all of this, however, will be network visibility. Get this right, and 5G will be built on the strongest of foundations.
