Nokia announces AI breakthrough that can reconfigure networks through speech or text prompts

Nokia Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, has announced an AI breakthrough called Natural-Language Networks that it says will allow networks to be operated through plain speech or text prompts, thereby eliminating the complexity of managing networks whilst enabling much more responsiveness to the needs of end users.

Natural-Language Networking is a component of UNEXT, a new Nokia Bell Labs research initiative that will redefine network software and systems. This proof-of-concept was showcased at the Brooklyn 6G Summit.

According to the company, these smart networks will allow communication service providers (CSPs) to deliver and maintain the ideal network configuration for any customer at any moment.

In addition, the Natural-Language Network can further optimise the network with each successive request. As its knowledge increases, it anticipates service and application needs and self-adapts to them without any human intervention.

Csaba Vulkan, Network Systems Automation research leader, Nokia Bell Labs, said, "Operators won't need to explore technical catalogues or complex API descriptions when they configure networks. Instead, a simple statement like 'Optimize the network at X location for Y service' will work. Those requests could be used to configure a wireless network in a factory for robot automation or optimize networks at a concert for a barrage of social media uploads."

Azimeh Sefidcon, Head of Network Systems and Security Research, Nokia Bell Labs, said, "Natural-Language Networks offer a sneak peek into one of the many capabilities of UNEXT. Reducing the complexity of network management fits squarely with UNEXT's goal of extending the reach of networked systems by breaking down barriers that prevent those systems from interoperating."