Cloud & 5G LIVE 2025: Overcoming Obstacles with ZTE Corp
Hans Neff, Senior Director and CTO at ZTE Corporation, explored the evolution of AI and 5G technologies at Cloud & 5G LIVE 2025, highlighting their symbiotic relationship in overcoming industry challenges and unlocking new business opportunities
The evolving landscape of AI and 5G
Hans Neff opened his keynote at Cloud & 5G LIVE by addressing the rapid evolution of technology, where new challenges and opportunities arise constantly. He emphasised that technological demands are not uniform or static – each industry, application and use case requires tailored solutions that evolve.
Rather than viewing AI, 5G and cloud computing in isolation, Hans stressed the importance of symbiosis.
“The improvement of networks, AI integration and automation must work together to create value,” he stated.
This includes optimising resource usage, reducing energy consumption and enhancing service quality to create new business opportunities.
AI-driven network evolution
Discussing the technological advances in network infrastructure, Hans detailed how AI is transforming telecommunications.
“AI is not a one-shot solution, but an integral part of automation, orchestration and service enhancement,” he explained.
He outlined how AI is being integrated into networks to improve service quality, automate operations and enhance security.
Hans also noted that network evolution has multiple dimensions. Virtualisation, cloud-native architecture and AI-powered automation are reshaping how networks function.
“The network must become intelligent, 'cloudified' and open to support next-generation services,” he said.
He highlighted 5G’s current capabilities, such as massive broadband and ultra-low latency and its future evolution towards 5G Advanced and 6G. These developments will extend connectivity beyond smartphones to IoT, industrial automation and AI-assisted applications.
The road to 6G and beyond
Looking ahead, Hans shared insights into the future of connectivity. He described 6G as an AI-native network designed with unified resources, functional control and trust-based intelligence. Unlike its predecessors, 6G will be built from the ground up with AI integration at its core.
Beyond network evolution, Hans highlighted the rise of open APIs, allowing deeper integration between networks and applications. He pointed to an industry initiative led by global telecom operators, which is enhancing service quality, security and personalisation.
This shift enables networks to interact directly with applications, creating tailored solutions for industries such as autonomous driving, smart cities and enterprise automation.
AI’s role in efficiency and sustainability
Hans stressed that AI’s value extends beyond automation—it is also a key driver of sustainability.
“AI optimises network resources, analyses traffic patterns and reduces energy consumption,” he explained.
By dynamically managing network load and integrating renewable energy sources like solar and fuel cells, AI is making telecom networks more efficient and environmentally friendly.
However, he cautioned against over-reliance on AI, advocating for its strategic use where it adds tangible benefits.
“AI should enhance security, streamline customer interactions and improve network operations, but it’s not a solution for everything,” he noted.
The human-centric approach
Closing his keynote, Hans reinforced that technology must remain human-centric.
Responding to a question from Neil Perry, Group Broadcast Director at BizClik Media about balancing automation with human needs, he stated: “Customer centricity is the foundation of any service. The human element must never be forgotten.”
Essential diary dates for 2025
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- Data Centre LIVE | 25 March
- Tech & AI LIVE London + Cyber LIVE London| 14-15 May
- The Global Tech & AI Awards | 14 May
- Tech & AI LIVE: Gen AI | 21 October
- Tech & AI LIVE New York | 18 November
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