Once restricted to crackling voice calls, we now can use mobile phones to join a meeting thousands of miles away at the touch of a button.
So when the industry sets out to invent the next generation of mobile connectivity, we must not only address the emerging needs that current technology might not meet but also envision entirely new opportunities, services and industries. More importantly, we must envision how we’ll make this technology a real force for good in the world.
However, we cannot achieve this alone.
Collaboration will be instrumental, and companies are keen to play their parts. One of the ways Intel is doing this is through participation in the EU 6G flagship research project Hexa-X — a broad, collaborative initiative to frame the 6G research agenda. Funded by the European Commission, this project will set the stage to make 6G a reality by 2030.
With 6G, we can expect to see the convergence of communications, computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Critically Intel’s technology will allow for computing and AI to be natively integrated into the 6G system instead of just running as an application on top of network infrastructure. Users will be able to access almost infinite compute power and AI/ML resources through Intel’s Compute-as-a-Service (CaaS) and AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) interfaces.
With sensors embedded in the physical world sending data to update digital representations of real environments in almost-real time and actuators in the real world carrying out commands from intelligent agents in the digital world, it will become possible to analyse events and act timely. We will also be able to simulate, predict and program future actions toward accomplishing tasks specific to the vertical industry operation.
And as we draw our innovation road map to the 6G era, we are driven by this unprecedented opportunity to connect the human, physical and digital worlds. To that end, we have defined three bold ambitions.
A healthier world
Ageing populations, increasing risk of extreme weather injuries and the potential for further pandemics are making remote and accessible healthcare more vital than ever.
Today, medicine typically follows a one-size-fits-all approach to disease treatment and prevention strategies. In contrast, precision healthcare considers the individual variability in the genes, environment and lifestyle of each person, which enables truly individual treatment for each and every patient.
6G could accelerate this type of care, and it can be applied to many instances. For example, wearable devices could be used to monitor the vital parameters for both the healthy and the sick. 6G could allow in-body devices to communicate with wearables outside, which in turn can securely transport the data to the healthcare providers as needed.
Wearable, remote technology also could help those with vision impairments to navigate the world. For example, wearables equipped with sensors could be leveraged to infer and identify objects, street furniture and other possible hazards so that users can navigate their surroundings independently.
Finally, the convergence of communications, computing and AI has the potential to support processing images and diagnosing patients. For example, AI that follows the artificial intelligence as a service (AIaaS) concept could process a picture of a patient’s skin and instantly identify whether there is a suspicious pattern relating to skin cancer. While this wouldn’t replace doctors, it certainly could create new efficiencies.
A more collaborative world
With the potential to achieve speeds over 1,000 times faster than 5G networks, this new near-instant wireless technology can take digital collaboration to new heights.
Through 6G-enabled mixed reality and holographic telepresence, silos could be shattered across remote office locations, teleconsultations and educational e-learning environments. The interactions of tomorrow could even include haptic connections — communication involving touch as well as sight and sound.
Admittedly, such telepresence meetings would require tremendous data bandwidth. They also would need considerable compute and AI power to record, transmit and reconstruct corresponding holographic images of colleagues. But meetings that were once confined to sci-fi films could become the reality of every office.
Another opportunity is the use of digital twins, which are virtual representations of objects or systems from the physical world that are updated using real-time data. Digital twins use simulation, machine learning and reasoning to help decision-making. Here, 6G could unlock the unprecedented levels of collaboration needed to truly realise smart cities. By intuitively facilitating data-sharing across a city’s ecosystem, the digital twin approach might enable collaboration among city planners, construction workers, energy suppliers and citizens.
Underpinned by 6G, these digital replicas could allow us to perfectly optimise traffic flow, build houses capable of withstanding predicted extreme weather events and drive seamless public transport operations.
A more sustainable world
Finally, 6G has the potential to accelerate our transition to net zero. This technology can take us to a greener world in several ways; the starting point is by making the network itself more sustainable.
Admittedly, networks such as 6G are tremendously difficult to parameterise and operate optimally. This is because the environment, the needs and the conditions of the network are always changing. To make it more energy-efficient — and therefore more sustainable — natively integrated AI technology can be deployed to constantly observe it and adapt its parameterisation. This means the 6G network can enhance user performance without compromising sustainability.
Outside the network, this technology can also play an important role in protecting and monitoring the environment. 6G could allow us to deploy bio-friendly energy-harvesting sensors anywhere with cost-effective connectivity, providing invaluable near-real-time monitoring of key environmental statuses. This could involve observing changing weather patterns or animal migrations.
A global telemetry system could be used to create early warning systems for natural disasters, flooding or landslides. It also could improve surveillance and monitoring of ecosystems and endangered species to protect them from threats such as illegal logging and poaching.
Use of these sensors could be combined with digital twins to create more sustainable food production practices. The health, needs and ailments of crops and livestock could be monitored and addressed in real time. And by adding AI to the mix, nutrients and minerals could be added to ensure that yields stay healthy yet sustainable — autonomously.
The road ahead
Our research with Hexa-X is not just about changing the world. We hope it can change the world for the better.
Intel’ solutions will be natively integrated into the 6G system instead of running as applications on top of the network infrastructure, converging communications, computing and AI.
Users will be able to access almost infinite compute power and help break down the silos between human, physical and digital existences. Through 6G, we can build a more hybrid, sustainable, collaborative and healthier world.
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