Telecom was one of the earliest users of AI, long before its marketing hype and even before it was known by that name. The recent advancements are further propelling AI's use.

In this episode, I talk to Dan Warren, Director of Communications Research at Samsung, regarding the role of AI in telecom networks. We discuss its role in network operations, AI for RAN, AI with RAN, and AI on RAN concepts; how software-based networking and virtualization (vRAN/Open RAN) enable AI; who will develop and implement AI models; the scope of standardization; and more.

We also delve into the investment challenges for 5G operators to leverage AI, whether AI will encourage a larger role for Hyperscalers in telecom, and whether large-scale AI implementation can start with 5G/5G Advanced or will have to wait for 6G.

Highlights:

00:00 - Intro
02:10 - Guest intro (Dan Warren)
03:22 - Samsung Network's categorization of the role of AI - Networks for AI, AI for networks
04:44 - Current interesting use cases of AI - RAN energy efficiency, complex capacity, and coverage optimization
06:40 - The current status of use of AI in telecom, major industry focus areas - optimizing opex and capex, experience enhancement
90:15 - Critical role of software-based networking and virtualization in enabling AI
12:48 - Are legacy networks w/o software-based networks out of luck for AI?
15:40 - How to decide where to run AI workload - where is the AI compute needed?
19:05 - Who will develop AI models for telecom? - property vs. standard, differentiation etc.
24:35 - Dichotomy between AI differentiation, open networking, and offering AI as a service layer
26:55 - Samsung's approach to AI as a service/software leveraging its software-based networking legacy. Might be different for more established players?
29:06 - Does today's architecture (e.g., SMO) have hooks for managing AI end-to-end?
30:01 - Data challenge of operators for AI - different forms, formats, sources, granularity, etc. Will things like NWDAF solve it?
31:50 - Operator understanding of the AI challenges ahead - transforming from a hardware operator to a software management company
34:36 - Is the investment needed for AI an impediment to its adoption? Worries of the fast-moving and changing AI landscape
38:46 - AI on RAN - Samsung Network's views
40:43 - AI on RAN - operators moving from telecom service providers to AI (edge) Data Center/infra providers - Does it make sense?
43:19 - AI timing - Will large-scale deployments wait for 6G, or can start with 5G?
45:16 - Closing

The mind-numbing investment in AI and the sky-high valuations of the companies involved have led many to wonder whether AI has become a bubble.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Riad Hartani, who is an advisor, investor, and a longtime time industry participant, on what is driving the investment - real market demand or FOMO, who is making those them, ongoing circular investment and risks, especially in Neoclouds, RoI concerns, consumer vs. enterprise AI dynamics, whether AI is a bubble, what could be early indicators of a burst, if any, who will be worst affected, and more.

We also compare and contrast the current AI situation with the Dot-com bubble.

Qualcomm surprised the IoT market by announcing the acquisition of the open-source hardware champion, with a huge hobbyist/enthusiast builder ecosystem.

In this episode, I talk to Qualcomm's VP of Product Management, Industrial and IoT BU, Manvinder (Manny) Singh, about the reasoning for the acquisition, challenges of the IoT industry, how AI is changing the game, what Qualcomm brings to the ecosystem, how AI Hub and the other acquisition, Edge Impulse, fit together with Arduino, and more.

We also delve into what will and will not change for the Arduino's open-source spirit, as well as the ecosystem, which primarily utilizes microcontrollers and low-power processors.

Also, check out Episode 59- Discussion with CEO of Edge AI Foundation:

https://bit.ly/TantrasMantra_ep59

Lenovo Global Industry Analyst Conference (GIAC) 2025 was held in October 2025 at the company's US Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was a three-day event packed with Keynote Addresses, numerous panels, and breakout sessions discussing Lenovo's AI strategy and roadmap, while highlighting its market and technology leadership. There was a good amount of dialogue, Q&A, and exchange of ideas and views between the company's executives and analysts.

In this episode, Anurag Agrawal of Techaisle, Leonard Lee of Next Curve, and I recap and analyze the event, discussing how "One-Lenovo" and "Hybrid AI" strategies are moving from concept to reality, how the company is challenging itself to evolve the PC industry despite its >20 quarters of market leadership, how its Neptune warm water cooled system is leading the data center market, and how its solutions and services business binds all the pieces together and helping it become a solutions company. We also delve into the remarkable progress of Motorola Mobility and explore how its sponsorships with FIFA and Formula 1 are helping to elevate the company's stature, as well as showcase its technological prowess.

Huawei organized two major events in September 2025. The first, Huawei Connect 2025, was a larger public event for customers, partners, media, analysts, and everyone else. The second, Analyst Talks, was a small, private analyst-only event. Both were held in Shanghai, China, and showcased the company's technology prowess and progress in the global AI race.

In the episode, I discuss the key takeaways from both events with Peter Jarich, a fellow analyst and Head of GSMA Intelligence.

We delve into Huawei's progress in AI despite challenges, how it is coping with limited access to the latest technology, the parallel Chinese tech ecosystem, 5G Advanced progress at Chinese operators, how AI is shaping the evolution, the company's impressive antenna/hardware innovations, and more.

After more than a decade of a dull period, the PC industry has seen some excitement, with AIPCs, Windows on Arm, the resurgence of Intel, and more. Amidst all this, Lenovo has continued to lead the market and brought excitement with its new concept devices, such as 360-degree display laptops, Rollable, VertiFlex, and others.

In this episode, I talk to Tom Butler, Lenovo's VP of Worldwide Commercial Portfolio, about AIPC traction, limited use of on-device AI capabilities & evolution, and the journey of introducing new concept devices, and more.

We also delve into how sustainability is core to Lenovo, including easy repairability and, even from a business perspective, sometimes counterintuitive measures that extend the life of PCs.

Edge AI has been hailed as the future of AI. However, it is yet to take off, and most of today's investment is directed towards cloud AI. Notwithstanding that, some green shoots are emerging.

In the episode, I talk to Pete Bernard, CEO of the industry association, Edge AI Foundation, on the reasons behind the slow growth of Edge AI, the challenges the industry is facing, and what use cases and early segments are seeing traction. We also delve into the vision and mission of the foundation, exploring how it is helping the industry address challenges while harnessing opportunities, and what the future holds.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 is a "no-compromise" foldable tablet-phone, and the ultimate productivity device, giving the category the best chance to be mainstream.

In this episode, I talk to Tyler Gipson, newly minted Head of Mobile B2B Sales at Samsung America, about the company's B2B/Enterprise strategy, how he plans to translate Samsung's consumer brand equity into B2B leadership, role of foldables, especially Z Fold7, and services such as Galaxy AI, Knox and Dex in enterprises, as well as plans to address the hefty price-tag of Z Fold7, which is the only remaining hurdle for the device.

Also, don't forget to check out:

• Galaxy Z Fold7 review — A 'no-compromise' foldable tablet-phone- https://bit.ly/3Ulxxq0
• Tantra's Notes Blog - Recapping and Analyzing Galaxy Unpacked- https://bit.ly/44L8RgD