He is expected to lead advances in using AI to achieve better spectral and operational efficiency, as well as to enable the network edge to provide new services
The AI-RAN Alliance has appointed Dr Alex Jinsung Choi as its full-time chair. Choi is well known and respected, and brings more than 30 years’ experience in telecom. The formation of the Alliance was announced at MWC in February, with members of the Deutsche Telekom group as the only telecoms operators among the founders*.
Previously, Choi was chair of the board of the O-RAN Alliance on a part-time basis from October 2022 to June 2024 where he played, “an integral part in driving the successful delivery of O-RAN specifications and transforming RAN towards open and intelligent solutions,” according to the AI-RAN Alliance.
Choi became Principal Fellow of SoftBank’s Research Institute of Advanced Technology in July. Previously he held senior roles at Deutsche Telekom for almost seven years, beginning as SVP Head of T-Labs, He was then Group CTO for more than four years before reprising his position as the Head of T-Labs for more than two years.
Choi himself commented, “The AI-RAN Alliance is set to transform telecommunications through AI-RAN advancements, increased efficiency, and new economic opportunities.
“As Chair, I’m excited to lead this AI-RAN initiative, working with industry leaders to enhance mobile networks, reduce power consumption, and modernise infrastructure with 5G and 6G with AI/ML. Our goal is to drive societal progress through AI-RAN, transitioning from traditional to next-generation communications infrastructure.”
The plan is now that, Choi’s leadership, the AI-RAN Alliance will advance research and innovation in three main areas:
• AI-for-RAN to improve RAN’s spectral efficiency;
• AI-and-RAN, that is integrating AI into RAN processes to optimise use of infrastructure and create new revenue opportunities; and
• AI-on-RAN to deploy AI services at the network edge to increase operational efficiency and provide new services to mobile users.
Network operators in the alliance will spearhead the testing and implementation of these technologies, developed through the collaborative efforts of member companies and universities.
Dr. Akihiro Nakao, Professor, The University of Tokyo, said, “Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi’s appointment as Chair of the AI-RAN Alliance represents a pivotal step in advancing AI within the telecommunications sector. His leadership is expected to unite academic and industry efforts, nurturing the next wave of innovators who will drive the future of AI and telecommunications.
“This initiative will not only fast-track the adoption of AI across diverse applications but also foster international collaboration and set new standards for efficiency, energy management, resilience, and the development of AI-driven services that will reshape the telecommunications industry and benefit society worldwide.”
* The alliance’s founding members include Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), Arm, DeepSig Inc. (DeepSig), Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Ericsson), Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft), Nokia, Northeastern University, NVIDIA, Samsung Electronics, SoftBank Corp. (SoftBank) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile).