Generative AI at the edge, coupled with the advancements in 5G technology, are transforming the way we perceive connectivity and artificial intelligence. At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, HCLTech hosted a panel discussion focusing on this transformative synergy, featuring distinguished speakers Sunil Patil, Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Ameer Saithu, Executive Vice President of Engineering and R&D Services at HCLTech.
Defining a multifaceted perspective of 5G Advanced, Patil shared an insightful definition of 5G, pointing out its evolution beyond standard specifications, while highlighting the role in enabling new capabilities, higher data rates, lower latency and AI integration within the modem, significantly enhancing user experience. “A combination of all of these is what we call 5G Advanced, because it enables new services and new capabilities for operators,” added Patil.
He underscored Qualcomm's commitment to advancing communication technologies, a sentiment echoed by Saithu, who lauded Qualcomm's track record in pushing the envelope of innovation.
The promise of 5G and AI
With its ultra-low latency and high data capacity, 5G lays the foundation for many groundbreaking applications across industries. Patil elaborated on the promise of 5G advanced and its legitimacy, stating: “5G’s potential to facilitate the monetization of new technologies and services.”
He highlighted the imperative of scaling AI through on-device processing, enabling a myriad of use cases without relying on complex models housed in the cloud. This democratization of AI empowers developers to harness the full potential of AI-driven applications, seamlessly integrated into everyday devices. Qualcomm has been investing in developing solutions that empower application developers to leverage AI at the device level efficiently.
This approach streamlines integration across the software stack, presenting a wealth of opportunities for optimization and innovation. To truly scale AI and enable use-cases, on-device GenAI capabilities are critical. "For instance, Meta and many other companies have announced open source GenAI models and some of those models are optimized to run on Snapdragon platform. The goal that we have is to make it easier for application developers to enable GenAI based applications,” said Patil.
Use cases and opportunities: End-to-end integration
Talking about various use cases spanning diverse domains, from consumer electronics to industrial applications, Patil mentioned the breadth of Qualcomm's product portfolio, emphasizing the versatility of Snapdragon platforms across different devices and industries.
Amidst the optimism surrounding AI and 5G Advanced, there are numerous challenges associated with integration and optimization. Patil specified the need for end-to-end integration to realize the full potential of these technologies, particularly in enterprise settings, noting the importance of infrastructure management and compatibility testing in ensuring seamless deployment and operation.
In the search for optimized AI models, validated by Qualcomm, Patil pointed the audience in the direction of Qualcomm’s AI Hub.
Ultimately, both leaders spoke about the transformative potential of GenAI at the edge and the importance of 5G Advanced in reshaping connectivity, while emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation to overcome challenges and unlock new possibilities.
