As global discussions about artificial intelligence increasingly focus on investment returns and real-world applications, advanced connectivity is essential for realizing AI’s full capabilities, according to Erik Ekudden, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Ericsson.
In an interview with CNBC-TV18 during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Ekudden explained that AI is already integrated into 5G networks, enhancing user experience, lowering energy usage, and facilitating quicker deployment of new services. However, the forthcoming phase of AI integration will hinge on how efficiently data circulates between devices, sensors, and cloud systems, positioning mobile networks as pivotal in the AI transition.
“AI is already enhancing 5G networks today,” Ekudden stated, noting that the focus is shifting towards how AI reaches end users and how data returns from devices. “Advanced connectivity is truly what will drive the future of AI,” he emphasized.
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He mentioned that Ericsson has started to see real returns from initial AI investments, especially in research and development. AI-induced changes in workflows — including coding, testing, and system development — have resulted in productivity improvements and quicker time-to-market, with more use cases emerging in finance, sales, and customer care.
Ekudden also pointed out the rising significance of agentic AI, where various AI agents collaborate within intricate workflows. These applications, he remarked, will dramatically change network traffic dynamics, heightening uplink demand and necessitating smarter, AI-driven networks. “It becomes more like a fabric, a mesh of communication,” he explained, referring to what he termed an “intelligent fabric” of connectivity.
Regarding the transition from 5G to 6G, Ekudden stated that countries do not need to await next-generation standards to benefit from AI. AI-enhanced 5G standalone networks are already presenting significant opportunities, offering a seamless upgrade path toward AI-oriented 6G in the future.
India, he noted, is particularly well-positioned, having launched one of the fastest and largest 5G networks globally. Ericsson anticipates rapid growth in adoption, predicting nearly a billion 5G connections in India within the next few years. This scale, along with ongoing enhancements in coverage and capacity, could enable the development of new AI-driven services across sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and retail.
Ekudden reaffirmed Ericsson’s long-term dedication to India, its second-largest market globally, where the company employs more than 24,000 people. India plays a vital role in Ericsson’s global R&D efforts, which include software, hardware, AI development, and network management, along with partnerships with universities and the broader startup ecosystem.
He also highlighted close collaboration with the Indian government on future technologies, including the Bharat 6G initiative, labeling India’s strategy as progressive and aimed at using AI to foster growth instead of leaning on outdated models.
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Looking towards 2026, Ekudden expressed that innovation would persist across various fronts, including agentic AI and emerging applications such as AI-enabled glasses and other wearable devices. While these technologies could revolutionize everyday interactions, he accentuated the necessity of trust, security, and comprehensive compliance in establishing a dependable digital infrastructure.
