NVIDIA brought together industry giants such as T-Mobile, MITRE, Cisco, ODC (a portfolio company of Cerberus Capital Management), and Booz Allen Hamilton to drive the development of AI-native wireless networks for 6G at GTC 2025 (21st March 2025). This initiative aims to revolutionize telecommunications by integrating artificial intelligence at the core of wireless infrastructure, enabling seamless connectivity for billions of devices, including smartphones, sensors, autonomous vehicles, and industrial robots.
AI-native networks will redefine spectral efficiency—the rate at which data can be transmitted over a given bandwidth—while optimizing performance, resource utilization, and security. By embedding AI into network operations from the start, telecom companies will not only enhance service capabilities but also create new revenue opportunities and reduce operational complexity.
Developing an AI-Native 6G Network Stack
NVIDIA is collaborating with its partners to build an AI-native wireless network stack leveraging the NVIDIA AI Aerial platform, which provides software-defined radio access networks (RANs) on an accelerated computing platform.
AI-RAN, a technology that brings AI and RAN workloads together, is being developed as a stepping stone toward full AI-native 6G networks. By embedding AI into radio signal processing, network orchestration, and security protocols, this approach will enable telecom providers to optimize spectrum usage, reduce costs, and improve network performance.
To achieve these goals, AI will be deeply integrated into the network stack software, running on a unified, accelerated infrastructure capable of handling both network and AI workloads. The system will be built with end-to-end security measures and an open architecture, allowing for faster innovation while ensuring robust protection against cyber threats.
Industry Leaders Driving Innovation
T-Mobile is expanding its AI-RAN Innovation Center, initially launched in 2024, to explore AI-native 6G capabilities. Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile, emphasized that AI integration will enhance network efficiency, scalability, and performance, ensuring the next generation of wireless experiences meets user expectations.
MITRE, a leading research and development organization, will contribute to the development of AI-driven services such as network orchestration, security, dynamic spectrum sharing, and integrated sensing and communications. Mark Peters, CEO of MITRE, highlighted the importance of embedding AI into 6G from the outset, as it will help unlock new spectrum availability and improve service reliability.
Cisco, a global leader in networking technology, will take a central role in the collaboration by providing mobile core and network technologies, leveraging its extensive service provider expertise. Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco, stressed that industry-wide cooperation is essential to developing AI-native networks that deliver better performance, security, and reliability.
ODC, with decades of experience in large-scale mobile systems, will focus on AI-native Open RAN (ORAN) 2.0 networks, allowing for a seamless transition from 5G to 6G. Shaygan Kheradpir, Chairman of ODC’s Advisory Board, noted that AI has become the most critical factor in the evolution of mobile networks, and ODC is leading the charge in developing AI-powered ORAN solutions.
Booz Allen Hamilton, a leader in AI and cybersecurity for the federal government, will develop AI-RAN algorithms and security protocols for the AI-native 6G platform. The company’s NextG lab will conduct functional, performance, and security testing to ensure the platform remains resilient against emerging cyber threats. Horacio Rozanski, CEO of Booz Allen, stated that AI-driven security is essential to building next-generation wireless communications, and Booz Allen is at the forefront of this effort.
Expanding NVIDIA’s Aerial Research Portfolio
This collaboration builds on NVIDIA’s AI-RAN and 6G research ecosystem, supported by advancements in its NVIDIA Aerial™ Research portfolio. The newly expanded portfolio includes:
- Aerial Omniverse Digital Twin Service, enabling simulation and testing of AI-driven wireless networks in a virtual environment.
- Aerial Commercial Test Bed on NVIDIA MGX™, providing a real-world development and testing platform for AI-native 6G technologies.
- Sionna™ 1.0, an open-source AI-powered wireless simulation library, which has already seen nearly 150,000 downloads since its launch in 2022.
- Sionna Research Kit for NVIDIA Jetson™, offering hardware-accelerated AI capabilities for 6G research and development.
NVIDIA’s 6G Developer Program, which now includes over 2,000 members and more than 150 universities and research institutions worldwide, is playing a pivotal role in driving AI-native wireless innovations. With industry and academia joining forces, the foundation for next-generation wireless networks is being laid.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI-Driven Wireless Networks
As AI continues to transform telecommunications, AI-native 6G networks will set new standards in performance, efficiency, and security. The collaboration between NVIDIA and its industry partners is a major step toward realizing an intelligent, autonomous wireless future.