During the opening keynote of Mobile World Congress Americas in Los Angeles, speakers emphasized how in the not-so-distant future artificial intelligence, coupled with 5G connectivity will have a transformative impact.
Mats Granryd, director general of GSMA says that AI is transforming industries, but “to be truly life changing it requires ultimate connectivity.” Or as he calls it, “intelligent connectivity,” envisioning a world where, for example, individuals have virtual personal assistants that have a deep understanding of the environment and needs of users.
Sprint’s Marcelo Claure, who is now the COO of parent Softbank Group says following in the path of the agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, and the internet and broadband revolution, is AI, which is poised to be the next technological revolution.
“Today we’re at a turning point,” Claure says, noting that in 30 years AI is expected to surpass human intelligence by 100-times.
The promised ultra-high speeds, low-latency and IoT features of 5G will enable truly connected homes and cities, Claure says.
He sees opportunities for AI across industries including medical care, by helping to eliminate wrong diagnosis, and autonomous cars coupled with sensor-enabled traffic lights that help to prevent car accidents.
Claure says we’re “just scratching the surface,” and that, like an iceberg, there is still hidden power of AI that we can’t see yet.
Still, companies that use AI and 5G “are always going to win,” Claure says.
Claure also took the time to put in a plug for regulatory approval of Sprint’s proposed merger with T-Mobile. He says that the combined company would be able to deliver 15-times faster speeds and that its 5G network would have six times the capacity.
He said that together the company would bring in-home broadband to rural communities, lower prices, and open at least 600 new retail stores in rural areas. Claure reiterated the interesting talking point that the deal would actually create “thousands” of jobs.
