IBM has joined forces with GSMA, a non-profit telecommunications organization, to facilitate the adoption and expertise in generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) within the telecom sector. This collaboration marks the inaugural initiative in GSMA's new advance series, aiming to enhance skills, foster innovation, and promote workforce diversity. The initiative seeks to prepare telecom leaders for the dynamic AI era, addressing the skills gap within the industry by utilizing IBM's watsonx platform and AI and data platform with AI assistants. The swift ascent of Gen AI has significantly impacted various industries, particularly telecommunications, holding the potential to revolutionize the sector by improving networks, enhancing connectivity, and effectively managing large volumes of data.

The training program, designed for telecom company leaders, covers a spectrum of topics, ranging from fundamental AI principles to specialized Gen AI applications. GSMA Advance AI Training sessions will be conducted at IBM offices in Dubai, London, Mexico, New York, and Seoul, with an additional online training program available in multiple languages. This collaboration extends beyond traditional training methods, leveraging IBM watsonx to deliver comprehensive Gen AI knowledge to architects and developers. The objective is to empower participants to enhance cost leadership, drive revenue growth, and elevate customer experience. The initiative aligns with IBM's 2023 commitment to train two million individuals in AI by the end of 2026, collaborating with global universities for adult learner AI training.

By democratizing AI, IBM and GSMA aim to bridge industry skills gaps, ensuring widespread benefits from increased connectivity. Through the GSMA Advance AI Training and Foundry Gen AI programs, the partnership addresses the shortage in AI skills, training, and tools, supporting GSMA's commitment to operators worldwide. The ultimate goal is to empower operators, even those supporting less connected communities, to leverage AI technology and develop innovative solutions to connect individuals not yet online. Stephen Rose, General Manager of Global Industries at IBM, emphasizes the pivotal role IBM plays in supporting telecom industry training, stating, “Generative AI can create massive opportunities for communication service providers as they look to optimize current processes, and like the GSMA, our goal is to offer this technology within the industry, which we're making possible through watsonx.”