International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

International Telecommunication Union (ITU): Recently, India hosted the third meeting of the International Telecommunication Union’s Focus Group on AI-Native Networks (FG-AINN) in New Delhi.

o Organized by: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

• About ITU’s (FG-AI-Native): Formed in July 2024

o Purpose: To explore and define fundamental changes in network architecture needed to fully leverage AI

o To identify the requirements, challenges, and opportunities of AI-native networks

• About AI-Native Networks: Communication networks where artificial intelligence is deeply embedded into the core architecture, rather than being an additional layer or feature.

o Capable of self-management, self-optimization, and self-repair

o Designed for high levels of automation, agility, precision, and speed

• Objectives of Focus Group: Study how AI can be deeply embedded into network architecture

o Explore applications such as smart cities, autonomous systems, and real-time services

• About ITU: A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies (ICT). Became a UN specialized agency in 1947.

o Founded : 1865 as the International Telegraph Union.

o HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.

o Members : 194 member countries

o Key Functions: Allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits

- Sets international technical standards for telecommunications and ICT

- Promotes ICT access in underserved and remote communities

• India’s Role: Member since 1869 and regularly serves on the ITU Council since 1952.