ATxSG's CommunicAsia 2026: Is telecom ready for an AI-driven future?

The telecom industry is moving faster than ever, driven by AI, smarter network designs, and a growing need for trustworthy, data-driven connections. At Asia Tech x Singapore’s CommunicAsia 2026, held May 20-22 in Singapore, industry leaders shared their insights on how AI is helping operators modernize their networks, improve services and build smarter, more autonomous digital systems.

The Take

• AI is transforming telco operations by enhancing customer engagement, automating processes and enabling predictive analytics, but success hinges on robust data, infrastructure, and governance.
• The evolution of networks into intelligent, autonomous systems requires responsible governance, transparency and trust, especially as AI influences human experiences and decision-making.
• Building AI-native digital infrastructure depends on establishing trusted digital identities, ensuring transparency and fostering cross-industry collaboration to create secure, inclusive and AI-enabled ecosystems.

AI Application for Telcos of Tomorrow

AI is set to play a transformative role in telecommunications, but industry leaders say success will depend on strong data foundations, modern network infrastructure, and effective governance.

Speaking at the "AI Application for Telcos of Tomorrow" session on May 20, panelists shared how AI is already being used to improve customer engagement, automate operations and enable predictive maintenance. Imran Nazi, head of ICT Enterprise at MyRepublic Ltd., emphasized that the priority should be identifying business challenges where AI can deliver meaningful value, rather than adopting the technology for its own sake. A key theme was the need to consolidate fragmented data into unified platforms. Panelists agreed that accessible data lakes and software-defined networks are critical enablers for advanced AI applications, including predictive analytics and proactive customer service. Anuradha Udunuwara, senior engineer at Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, highlighted the organizational and cultural changes required to support this transition.

The discussion also focused on governance and standardization, with speakers calling for closer collaboration among telecommunications operators, standards bodies and the open-source community to develop trusted frameworks for AI deployment. Jose Carlos Tupaz VI, systems engineering manager at Hitachi Rail Ltd., highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in AI-driven systems, particularly in safety-critical environments, where technologies such as digital twins can help reduce operational risks.

Looking ahead, the panelists agreed that AI will increasingly support personalized services, intelligent network management, and operational efficiency. However, overcoming legacy systems, improving data integration and developing industrywide standards remain key challenges for the sector.

AI and the Breaking Point of Connectivity

AI is driving a fundamental shift from traditional connectivity toward perceptive, autonomous systems, according to professor and author Rocky Scopelliti, speaking at the "AI and the Breaking Point of Connectivity" session on May 20.

Scopelliti argued that perception is not an objective reality, but a construct shaped by experiences, beliefs and data. "Machines perceive through probabilities rather than certainty," he explained, enabling them to interpret environments, predict outcomes and make decisions at unprecedented speed and scale. He noted that networks are evolving from passive communication channels into intelligent infrastructures capable of autonomous action. As these systems become more complex, "governance becomes more important than control," requiring embedded safeguards such as real-time auditability, clear authority boundaries, and self-monitoring mechanisms.

The session also explored the growing influence of AI on human experiences. Scopelliti warned that machines increasingly shape reality by filtering information, directing attention, and influencing behavior, raising important questions about trust, accountability, and who controls these systems. He concluded that the future of connectivity will be defined not by the number of connections, but by how intelligently, responsibly and transparently systems interact in an increasingly machine-driven society.

Building AI Native Digital Infrastructure

Trust will be the defining factor in building AI-native digital infrastructure, according to Hiroki Kuriyama, president and CEO of NTT DOCOMO GLOBAL Inc., speaking at the "Building AI Native Digital Infrastructure" session on May 21.

Kuriyama noted that while digitalization has transformed connectivity and enabled personalized services, it has also exposed a growing gap in digital trust. "Connectivity alone is no longer enough; we need trusted digital identities that work across industries and borders," he said, introducing the Universal Wallet Infrastructure (UWI) as a framework for secure, verifiable credentials covering identity, skills and assets.

Addressing the rapid evolution of AI, Kuriyama highlighted the need for "dual authenticity" to verify both human and AI identities as autonomous systems become more prevalent. He warned that challenges such as deepfakes and declining confidence in AI make trust and transparency increasingly important. The session also showcased initiatives to expand digital inclusion, including 5G deployment projects in Indonesia and digital transformation programs in Thailand. A pilot project in Japan demonstrated how UWI can enable portable, tamper-proof verification of workforce credentials. Kuriyama concluded that trust must be central to future digital ecosystems, and collaboration across industries will be key to creating secure, inclusive, AI-enabled systems.

The future of connectivity isn’t just about more connections, but will depend on smarter, more trustworthy systems that serve society responsibly. Building trust and working together will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of AI in telecom.

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This article was published by S&P Global Market Intelligence and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.