The advent of the Intelligent Era is revolutionising the Digital Economy, driven by significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation network technologies. Dr. Tayeb Ben Meriem, IPv6 Forum Vice Chair, highlighted these transformative trends in his recent keynote speech on “Next-Generation Network Trends.”
“From a technical perspective, what we are seeing in the Digital Economy space is that the Intelligent Era is gaining momentum,” Dr. Tayeb stated.
He pointed out two primary indicators: technical advancements and business impact, both of which are intricately linked.
By 2026, AI is expected to achieve a 30% penetration rate, which will generate substantial economic revenue.
“This 30% penetration of AI will generate by 2030 $13 trillion,” Dr. Tayeb noted, emphasizing the profound impact on global GDP. This economic potential has prompted decision-makers worldwide to prioritise AI integration.
Digital transformation strategies are being rolled out in over 100 countries, including the European Union, the US, China, and Saudi Arabia. “All these countries are taking AI penetration seriously,” Dr. Tayeb emphasised. This global commitment to AI underscores its critical role in economic growth and innovation.
AI’s influence extends across various industries, including finance, manufacturing, energy, and public services.
Dr. Tayeb highlighted the collaborative efforts of industry, universities, research institutions, and application developers in accelerating the evolution of future networks. Notable projects like PRONTO in the US and the non-IP Network in Europe are leading the way.
The two major initiatives exemplify the global push towards the Intelligent Era. Shenzhen city in China is setting a benchmark for future networks, while Saudi Arabia’s “10Gigabit cities” project aims to deploy 18 high-speed cities, paving the way for global adoption.
Dr. Tayeb introduced the Net5.5G framework, which supports the Intelligent Era through its three dimensions: functionality and use cases, architecture, and features. This four-layer architecture includes 10Gbps access networks, SRv6-based transport networks upgraded to 400GE/800GE, and hyper-converged data centres AI capabilities.
The campus network segment of Net5.5G offers value creation, intelligent management, high-speed access, and diverse device connectivity. The 400/800GE Converged IP Transport Network supports ultra-high bandwidth, efficient cloud migration, and superior user experience. The hyper-converged data centre network, divided into compute zones, facilitates massive cloudification and AI model operations.
Dr. Tayeb concluded by highlighting Net5.5G as a bridge from the Digital Era to the Intelligent Era. “The move toward the digital era to the intelligent era is a long journey,” he remarked, noting that Net5.5G’s advanced network capabilities are essential for this transition.
The Intelligent Era’s momentum in the Digital Economy is undeniable, driven by AI and next-generation networks. As Dr. Tayeb’s insights reveal, the future of economic growth and innovation hinges on embracing these transformative technologies.
