Revolutionizing Network Management: The Journey to AI-native Autonomy (River Publishers Series in Communications and Networking)

End-to-end automation in telecommunications is a challenging yet critical industry objective, representing collective vision for technology evolution in the coming years. Key enablers for achieving this include the expression and the translation of high-level business goals (e.g. intents) into actionable and impactful operations, the deployment and interaction between closed loops, real-time data management, the extraction of meaningful insights from data, ML-driven analytics and intelligence, and seamless orchestration and resource control. Automation processes must be transparent, reliable and robust.

This book provides a comprehensive insight into the automation journey. It explores the vision of zero-touch, AI-native network and service autonomy, examining the key trends, catalysts, and technological advancements shaping this paradigm shift. It provides a comprehensive analysis of critical aspects such as data and knowledge management, security and trust, native AI/ML management, intent-based automation, and human-to-machine as well as machine-to-machine interfaces. By delving into advanced concepts such as data-driven, AI-powered analytics, semantic and decision models, network digital twins, and the role of natural language processing and large language models, the book bridges theory and practical application. It highlights how these innovations leverage and maximize intent-driven and closed-loop automation, enabling seamless, intelligent, and autonomous networks. Additionally, it identifies key areas where further research is needed to address existing gaps and unlock the full potential of these technologies.

Ultimately, this book provides valuable insights, outlining the transformative potential of zero-touch, AI-native networks and paving the way for seamless, intelligent, and autonomous management of networks and services, driving innovation, efficiency, and new opportunities in the evolving digital landscape.

Csaba Vulkán is a research department head at Nokia Bell Labs. His main research focus is network automation including AI/ML based network management, intent based autonomous networks and network digital twins. Csaba's contribution to the research of human-network interworking done together with Péter Szilágyi led to the natural language networks concept, an AI breakthrough that can reconfigure networks through human speech. His and his team's work on applying machine learning in network management resulted in the Nokia Anomaly Detection Service which was awarded with the 5G World award for most innovative machine learning software product. During the 25 years of his professional career, he has also worked on network dimensioning, network automation and optimization, and quality of experience management, for which he has received the Nokia Technology Excellence Award. As research manager, he promotes joint innovation with academia, an activity recognized by Budapest University of Technology and Economics with the Pro Facultate Award. Csaba has created over 30 patents and co-authored over 30 publications in book chapters, journals and conferences.

Péter Szilágyi received an M.Sc. degree in Software Engineering from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), Hungary in 2009. He is a senior research engineer and Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS) at Nokia Bell Labs, with a history in telecommunications and software, artificial intelligence, data analytics, 5G and verticals, connected vehicles (V2X), end-to-end system engineering, rapid prototyping, high-profile public presentations and tech demos, intellectual property creation, standardization and technical management. Péter has researched, prototyped and validated innovations in real networks for dynamic experience management, user behavior analytics, in-band user plane analytics, multi-path content delivery, application awareness and flow optimization. As a V2X chief architect, he has created machine learning based solutions for connected vehicles, including driver behavior analysis, situational awareness, real-time network communication optimization and more. His recent works include research and standardization of intent based networking concepts in 5G/6G for service and network management automation, applying AI for diverse datasets to develop domain specific language models and semantic representation of software systems. Péter has co-authored 70 patents and more than 30 publications in book chapters, journals and conferences. He has received the Nokia Technology Excellence Award (2015) and various recognitions as a leading inventor.

Nurit Sprecher, ETSI Fellow, Head of Network Automation and Exposure at Nokia Standards, Distinguished Member of the Nokia Technical Staff. She is seasoned technology strategist and visionary leader with 30 years of global telecommunications industry experience, specializing in carrier-grade network and service architectures and innovative strategies. She is recognized for driving paradigm shifts, adopting transformative technologies, and delivering end-to-end solutions that create societal value and new market opportunities, and is regarded as a technology leader in areas such as open RAN, zero-touch network and service/slicing automation, cloudification, edge computing, network exposure, Network as a Platform, packet optical networks, fixed access, mobile backhauling, and technology policy and regulation, serving as a trusted source of knowledge. Nurit is an author of numerous publications and a key contributor to projects within O-RAN ALLIANCE, ETSI, GSMA, 5G-ACIA, IETF, ITU-T, IEEE and BBF, and is actively engaged in core discussions on next-generation networks and services with Tier-1 carriers and various governments. She is a recipient of multiple industry awards, widely recognized and respected for expertise and leadership. She has exemplified strong leadership in global standardization bodies as the founding chair of ETSI ISG MEC and vice chair of ETSI ISG ZSM for three consecutive terms, and has driven industry harmonization efforts and established impactful collaborations.