As the telecom world accelerates toward 5G-Advanced and sets its sights on 6G, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a peripheral technology — it is becoming the brain of the mobile network. AI-driven Radio Access Networks (RANs), and increasingly AI-native architectures, are reshaping how operators design, optimize, and monetize their networks. From zero-touch automation to intelligent spectrum management and edge AI services, the integration of AI and machine learning (ML) is unlocking both operational efficiencies and new business models.

This article explores the evolution of AI in the RAN, the architectural shifts needed to support it, the critical role of Open RAN, and the most promising AI use cases from the field. For telcos, this is not just a technical upgrade — it is a strategic inflection point.