AI is revolutionizing the telecom industry, driving autonomous networks and new revenue streams. NVIDIA’s report reveals 90% of operators see increased revenue and reduced costs with AI. 77% expect AI-native networks before 6G. 89% plan to boost AI spending. Telecoms are transitioning to ‘AICO’ – AI infrastructure companies.

Telecoms are reaping tangible revenue benefits from AI, with 90% seeing positive impacts on revenue and costs. Top AI use cases for ROI include autonomous networks, customer service, and internal process optimization. 89% of respondents plan to increase AI budgets in 2026, with a focus on autonomous operations and AI-native networks.

Network automation is the top use case for investment and ROI in telecoms, leading to autonomous networks that self-configure and self-optimize. Edge computing investments are reshaping network architectures, with 77% expecting faster deployment of AI-native wireless networks. AI is boosting productivity, with generative and agentic AI solutions driving efficiencies across operations.

AI is enhancing productivity and driving business opportunities in telecoms. Nearly all respondents see improved employee productivity, with 26% reporting significant gains. Generative AI boosts productivity, while agentic AI drives structural ROI by enabling autonomous decision-making. Download the “State of AI in Telecommunications 2026 Trends” report for detailed insights.

Read more at NVIDIA: Survey Reveals AI Advances in Telecom: Networks and Automation in Driver’s Seat as Return on Investment Climbs