NVIDIA’s latest telecommunications survey reveals significant AI adoption trends, with 84% of telecom companies reporting increased annual revenue through AI implementation and 77% experiencing reduced operating costs.

The third annual “State of AI in Telecommunications” survey, polling over 450 telecommunications professionals worldwide, demonstrates the industry’s growing commitment to artificial intelligence integration across various operations, particularly in radio access networks (RANs).

Employee productivity emerged as a standout benefit, with 60% of respondents citing it as their primary advantage from AI implementation. The survey also highlighted that 44% of companies are prioritizing AI investments in customer experience optimization, marking it as the leading area for AI deployment in the telecommunications sector.

The financial impact of AI adoption has been substantial, with 21% of respondents reporting more than 10% revenue increase in specific business areas. This success has bolstered industry confidence, as 80% of professionals now consider AI crucial for their company’s future success, with two-thirds planning to increase AI infrastructure spending within the year.

Network operations have become a key focus for AI implementation, with 37% of respondents investing in AI for improved network planning and operations. The survey revealed that 33% had invested in AI for field-operations optimization during the previous year. Among those investing in 5G monetization and 6G research, 66% aim to deploy AI services on RAN for operational and user needs.

Generative AI has emerged as a significant trend in the telecommunications industry. More than half of the survey participants using generative AI have already implemented their first use case, while another third plan to do so this year. The technology’s commercial potential is evident, with 84% of companies planning to offer generative AI solutions to their customers.

The survey indicates a shift toward diverse AI development approaches, including increased focus on in-house capabilities and open-source solutions. This trend suggests a maturing AI ecosystem within the telecommunications industry, with companies adopting multiple strategies to maximize AI benefits.

Looking ahead, the telecommunications industry appears well-positioned to leverage AI for continued growth and efficiency improvements. The strong adoption rates and positive financial impacts indicate that AI integration will remain a crucial factor in the industry’s evolution and competitive landscape.

News Source: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/ai-telcos-survey-2025/