The 5G Forum is a well-established event and one of the most important in Spain and Europe focused on 5G technology. Looking ahead to its 2025 edition, digital cybersecurity will be one of the new frontiers to explore, though it won’t be the only topic addressed. Among others, 6G technology will become one of the main themes of this forum.
The Role of AI in the Future of 6G
The 5G experience has offered valuable lessons about the gap between expectations and the reality of its implementation, which urges a more cautious analysis of the promises being made about 6G. In this context, Narcís Cardona will present his vision. He is the Director of the 6G Joint Innovation Centre at the iTEAM Research Institute of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and Vice President of the one6G Association. He states that “one of the central topics in current debates is the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 6G.”
“While many experts point to it as the driving force of the new generation of networks, its practical application has yet to be proven,” says Narcís Cardona. Network automation, intelligent spectrum management, and resource optimization are some of the areas where AI could make a difference—but will that be enough to justify a multi-billion-dollar investment?
A Costly Investment That’s Hard to Monetize
This investment is precisely another pressing issue on the table and one that concerns operators. 5G has already represented a significant financial effort, with a return on investment that has yet to fully materialize. “If 6G follows a similar path, it could become another expensive technology for companies to monetize and barely noticeable to end users,” the expert adds. That’s why doubts are arising, and many experts question whether the financial effort needed to drive this technology is truly worthwhile.
What lessons can be learned from the implementation of 5G to improve the development of 6G? How do hyper-futuristic visions impact the success of new technologies like 6G? What were the promises made about 5G, and how do they compare to the promises about 6G? Is 6G the technology users really need for the future? These are just some of the many questions arising around this technology that is expected to revolutionize the future of communication, technology, mobile networks, industry, and society as a whole.
The Cartuja Auditorium will host the three in-person sessions of the eighth edition on Monday, May 12; Tuesday, May 13; and Wednesday, May 14. The event will conclude with a virtual format on Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16.