A new Liberty Global-EY report plots a path for AI telecom tech to save the planet

The telecom industry giants Liberty Global and EY have released a report outlining how artificial intelligence could potentially reduce network energy consumption, provided the right regulatory framework is established.

Key findings and recommendations; The report presents eight key recommendations for implementing AI sustainably in telecommunications networks.

• Organizations should assess AI’s sustainability impact and prioritize AI-driven network optimization
• The industry needs to transition quickly to renewable energy sources and adopt circular economy practices
• Companies must develop comprehensive AI governance frameworks that incorporate sustainability metrics
• Industry-wide standards for sustainable AI implementation, including common environmental impact measurements, should be established

Future scenarios; The report outlines four possible futures for AI implementation in telecommunications, ranging from highly optimistic to severely problematic.

• The ‘Transform’ scenario envisions an 80% reduction in network energy consumption despite handling 100 times more data traffic
• The ‘Collapse’ scenario warns of a 150% increase in energy use due to unregulated AI workloads
• The ‘Constraint’ scenario predicts only 30% lower energy consumption due to restrictive regulations
• The ‘Growth’ scenario, considered most likely, projects a 10% increase in energy use but complete elimination of scope 1 and 2 emissions

Industry perspectives; Key industry leaders have weighed in on the potential impact of AI on telecommunications sustainability.

• Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries emphasized the company’s commitment to emissions reduction through AI implementation
• Harvey Lewis, EY’s AI partner, stressed the importance of network collaboration across Europe and strategic AI adoption
• The report’s timing coincides with other industry initiatives, such as BT’s Carbon Network Dashboard and Three UK’s AI-powered radio component management system

Reading between the regulatory lines; The report appears to advocate for specific regulatory approaches while highlighting current industry developments.

• The analysis promotes regulatory frameworks aligned with the Draghi Report, including support for cross-border mergers and harmonized spectrum rules
• Recent real-world implementations demonstrate practical applications, such as BT’s AI-enabled energy tracking and Three UK’s smart power management systems
• The timing of the report coincides with increased industry lobbying efforts directed at EU regulatory bodies

Looking ahead: While the report’s scenarios paint varying pictures of AI’s impact on telecommunications energy consumption, its effectiveness will largely depend on finding the right balance between regulatory oversight and industry innovation, particularly as data traffic continues to grow exponentially.