The event, hosted by Huawei alongside GSMA and GSMA Intelligence, centred on a clear theme: Building an Agentic Network through Device–Network–Business Synergy.

The discussion reflected a growing consensus across operators and technology providers that the 5G core network is entering a new phase. AI is no longer an experimental layer added on top of networks; it is becoming a foundational element shaping how services are delivered, managed and monetised.

The rise of the Agentic Core

During the summit, Huawei introduced its AgenticCore solution, designed to embed AI across the entire core network stack. This includes mobile data, voice services, operations and maintenance (O&M), and telco cloud infrastructure.

According to George Gao, president of Huawei’s Cloud Core Network Product Line, the goal is to equip operators with the ability to evolve both their networks and their business models.

AI enables three key capabilities: real-time experience awareness, global evaluation and coordination of resources, and intelligent interaction and execution. Together, these form what can be described as a “network brain”—a system that continuously analyses user experience and automatically adjusts network behaviour.

This creates the foundation for a closed-loop model in which user experience becomes measurable, manageable and ultimately monetisable. Operators can define service quality more precisely, tailor offerings to individual users, and ensure consistent delivery across different scenarios.

The release of the GSMA Intelligent Packet Core Foundry White Paper 2.0 at the event further underlined the industry’s commitment to aligning AI innovation with the evolution of the core.

This vision is already being translated into practical frameworks that define how intelligence is applied across the network.

AI-driven transformation across the core

The Agentic Core vision can be understood through four key initiatives, each applying AI to a different domain of the network.

Mobile Internet + AI focuses on transforming user experience and business models. By embedding intelligence directly into mobile data services, networks can dynamically adapt to user needs in real time. This enables more personalised, differentiated services and allows operators to move beyond traditional connectivity toward experience-based offerings.

Calling + AI redefines voice as a service platform. AI-powered capabilities such as real-time translation, transcription and contextual assistance can be integrated directly into calls, turning voice into a gateway for AI-driven services. This reflects a broader shift in thinking. Rather than treating voice as a legacy service, operators are beginning to see it as a platform for new forms of interaction and value creation. Industry analyst Andy Hicks highlighted that telecom operators have historically prioritised migration, moving from 2G and 3G to VoLTE and 5G, rather than reimagining what voice could become.

He argued that a converged core approach, where multiple generations of services operate within a unified architecture, should not only support legacy transitions but also enable future innovation. In this context, calling becomes a critical entry point for future digital interactions.

O&M + AI is driving the move toward autonomous networks. AI systems can detect faults, optimise configurations and manage performance through closed-loop automation. Huawei’s intelligent O&M framework represents a step toward Autonomous Network (AN) Level 4, where networks can operate with a high degree of independence.

The first phase introduces intelligent assistants capable of handling faults and configuration changes automatically. Later stages evolve toward hierarchical autonomy, where different network domains operate independently but in coordination. This reduces the need for manual intervention while improving efficiency, reliability and scalability as networks grow more complex.

AI-centric infrastructure underpins the entire transformation. Telco cloud platforms are evolving from cloud-native to AI-native, supporting GPU orchestration, real-time inference and generative AI workloads.

At the same time, infrastructure is being redesigned to integrate compute capabilities directly into the network, enabling AI processing at scale. This allows operators to host and run advanced AI services within the network itself, creating an environment where devices, applications and AI agents can interact seamlessly.

AI’s influence now spans both operations and infrastructure. Rather than simply transporting data, networks increasingly host, manage and orchestrate AI-driven processes. As autonomous capabilities mature and AI-native platforms scale, they will function as intelligent systems in their own right, coordinating interactions between users, services and machines in real time.

Preparing for the 6G horizon

Looking beyond 5G, the Agentic Core aligns closely with early visions of the 6G ecosystem.

In this future, networks will support ubiquitous connectivity for AI agents operating across devices, platforms and digital environments. The core network could act as a central exchange point, enabling seamless communication between machines, applications and users.

As 5G-Advanced continues to roll out, the role of AI in the core is expected to expand rapidly. The Agentic Core concept suggests that future networks will be defined not just by connectivity, but by intelligence embedded throughout the system.

For operators under pressure to unlock new revenue streams while managing increasing complexity, this shift may prove decisive in defining the next generation of telecom business models.