The Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Communications Networks and Consumers

The Federal Communications Commission and the National Science Foundation are co-hosting this half-day workshop that will convene stakeholders to discuss the opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) presents for spectrum management and network resiliency, and the challenges AI brings to vital consumer issues like robocalls/robotexts and digital discrimination.

The workshop will bring together a diverse array of stakeholders—network operators and vendors; leading academics; federal agencies; and public-interest representatives—to discuss the promise and challenge of artificial intelligence in the telecommunications and technology sectors. The workshop will cover a wide range of issues, including AI’s transformative potential to optimize network traffic; improve spectrum policy and facilitate sharing; and enhance resiliency through self-healing networks. The workshop will also explore how AI will affect the fight against illegal robocalls and robotexts; efforts to foster digital equity and combat discrimination; and initiatives to bring greater transparency and affordability to broadband access.

The workshop will begin with opening remarks by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, NSF Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, and Commissioner Nathan Simington. Dr. Margaret Martonosi, Assistant Director for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) at NSF, will provide the keynote speech, followed by two panels: (1) “AI’s Dramatic Impact on Communications Networks and Technologies”; and (2) “AI as a Tool and Challenge for Consumer Empowerment”. See the Public Notice for the agenda.