AI training initiative is first in new GSMA
Advance series aims to build skills, foster innovation and champion
workforce diversity
LONDON and NEW
YORK, Jan. 30, 2024 /CNW/ -- The GSMA and IBM
(NYSE: IBM) today announced a new collaboration to support the
adoption and skills of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in
the telecom industry through the launch of GSMA Advance's AI
Training program and the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program.
The AI training program, the first in a new series of courses by
GSMA Advance, seeks to prepare telco leaders for the AI-era and
bridge skills gaps in the telecom industry, by equipping members
with skills and knowledge to help effectively leverage Gen AI
technologies utilizing watsonx, IBM's AI and data platform with AI
assistants.
The training program, designed for telecoms leaders, will span a
wide range of topics, from fundamental AI principles to specialized
Gen AI applications in telecoms. To ensure a wide-range of
participants can benefit, GSMA Advance AI Training sessions will
take place at IBM offices in five locations around the world in
2024, including Dubai, London, Mexico, New
York and Seoul, and an
online training program will be available in multiple
languages.
A digital version of the program will be available to help
address both the business strategy and technology fundamentals of
Generative AI. This program will leverage IBM watsonx to deliver
hands-on training designed to equip architects and developers with
in-depth practical Gen AI knowledge.
The GSMA Foundry Generative AI program will provide GSMA members
with access to IBM's watsonx. This platform is intended to
help telecom industry players explore innovative industry-specific
use cases of Generative AI, enabling members to improve cost
leadership, revenue growth and enhance customer experience. As part
of the ongoing collaboration GSMA Foundry and IBM will drive a
series of Gen AI industry programs and challenges to investigate
the use of Generative AI in various functional areas of a telecom
provider.
Bridging The AI Adoption Gap
Through both the GSMA Advance AI Training and Foundry Gen AI
programs, the GSMA and IBM will help address the gap in AI skills,
training and tools, supporting GSMA's commitment to operators of
all sizes across the world.
IBM's latest AI Adoption Index found 40% of telecoms
surveyed are exploring or experimenting with generative AI, and 45%
have accelerated the rollout of AI. Research from GSMA
Intelligence also shows that while 56% of operators
surveyed are actively trialing generative AI solutions – at a rate
higher than any other priority technology - adoption this is less
prevalent amongst mid-sized and smaller operators surveyed.
Through this initiative, the GSMA and IBM aim to allow
operators, including those supporting the world's least connected
communities, to benefit from AI technology, and develop new
innovative and inclusive solutions to help connect those in society
who are not yet online.
Generative AI holds tremendous potential to help improve all
manner of operations and customer engagement. Specifically,
generative AI can help transform customer care, IT and network
optimization —all areas in which automation can notably help
increase agility and efficiency. Through their commitment to
developing generative AI skills and training for the telecom
industry, the GSMA and IBM want to enable mobile operators to
provide better services and, ultimately, help more people benefit
from digital connectivity.
"Artificial Intelligence provides the telecoms industry, and the
societies it serves, with huge opportunities to launch new
services, improve connectivity and customer experience. Overall,
it's estimated that AI could contribute $15.7 trillion1 to the global economy
by 2030," said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer at the
GSMA. "However, it's critical that AI is democratized to ensure
that all parts of the connectivity industry and their customers,
wherever they are in the world, benefit. Bringing operators access
to AI tools and knowledge, alongside the necessary skills,
access and training, is key to achieving this."
"As a world leader in AI for business, IBM will provide critical
support to this training for the telecom industry through this
collaboration with the GSMA," said Stephen
Rose, GM, Global Industries, IBM. "Generative AI can create
massive opportunities for communication service providers as they
look to optimize current processes, and like the GSMA, our goal is
to offer this technology within the industry, which we're making
possible through watsonx."
With Mobile World Congress around the corner, the GSMA will
share more on the future of the program and additional initiatives
to address the AI skills gap. For more on watsonx, please visit
ibm.com/watsonx
Statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are
subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals
and objectives only.
About GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization unifying
the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation
foundational to positive business environments and societal change.
Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that
people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators
and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent
industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad
pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions,
and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling
today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology
and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the
world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC
and M360 series of events.
We invite you to find out more at gsma.com
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid
cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more
than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data,
streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the
competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government
and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as
financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's
hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital
transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's
breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing,
industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and
flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's
long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility,
inclusivity and service.
Visit www.ibm.com for more information.
1 PwC Report : Sizing the prize: What's the real
value of AI for your business and how can you capitalise?
Media Contact:
Bridget
Devine
bridget.devine@ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM