John Smee: Qualcomm on its Vision for AI-native 6G networks
Future 6G networks will use AI-native protocols to adapt parameters based on conditions such as interference levels, traffic load, and user mobility.
Qualcomm envisions AI-native 6G networks as a transformative leap in wireless connectivity, integrating AI deeply into the fabric of the network to create a system that is adaptive, efficient, and capable of meeting the demands of the next decade and beyond.
This vision positions 6G as an “innovation platform” that connects an expansive compute and intelligence fabric, building on the technical foundations of previous generations like 5G and 5G Advanced.
At its core, Qualcomm’s approach involves embedding AI across multiple layers of the network and within devices to enable dynamic, real-time adjustments. Future 6G networks will use AI-native protocols to adapt parameters based on conditions such as interference levels, traffic load, and user mobility.
This adaptability aims to optimize performance for individual applications and devices, enhancing two fundamental wireless capabilities: coverage and capacity. By leveraging AI, these networks can learn and evolve over time, potentially delivering tailored, efficient connectivity that surpasses the static designs of earlier systems.
A key aspect of this vision is the collaboration between networks and devices, with AI facilitating seamless interaction. Qualcomm has already begun implementing this concept in 5G Advanced, notably with two-sided AI-enhanced channel state feedback (CSF), which improves radio access network (RAN) performance. This serves as a stepping stone to 6G, where AI will play an even more integral role in the air interface—the communication link between devices and the network. Rather than relying on predefined specifications, AI-driven air interfaces will use data to adapt to specific conditions, boosting spectral efficiency and network resilience.
Qualcomm also emphasizes advanced hardware innovations, such as its work on Giga-MIMO systems for the upper mid-band spectrum (7-15 GHz, part of the FR3 band). These systems promise significant throughput gains and coverage comparable to lower frequency bands, supported by AI to optimize antenna performance. This reflects Qualcomm’s goal of making smarter use of existing and new spectrum, rather than simply relying on additional bandwidth.
Beyond technical enhancements, Qualcomm sees 6G enabling new services and use cases—such as integrated sensing, immersive extended reality (XR), and AI-based applications—while fostering revenue growth through monetizable network capabilities. The vision includes an AI-native system design that improves network management and resource allocation, integrating with diverse technologies like Wi-Fi and fixed wireless access, and supporting a unified framework to simplify interactions across the ecosystem.
In summary, Qualcomm’s vision for AI-native 6G networks is a holistic, intelligence-driven system where AI is not an add-on but a foundational element, enabling a highly adaptive, efficient, and expansive wireless platform poised to redefine connectivity by 2030 and beyond.
