DTW 2026 | China Mobile EVP Li Huidi: Autonomous Networks in Future, Faster

Details: STAFF WRITER; Category: Wireless Networks; 24 June 2026; 910 views

On June 23 (local time), the 2026 Digital Transformation World (DTW2026), hosted by TM Forum, opened in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Li Huidi (pictured), EVP of China Mobile, was invited to attend the conference and delivered a keynote speech titled “AN in Future,Faster.”

Li Huidi noted that with the widespread adoption of Gen-AI, token traffic is experiencing explosive growth, driving networks to evolve from traditional “bit transmission” to “bits + tokens delivery.” China Mobile is actively embracing this trend by continuously advancing network upgrades, providing a solid digital infrastructure foundation for the AI era. At the same time, AI technologies are rapidly evolving from “passive training” to “autonomous evolution,” with large models achieving continuous breakthroughs that are reshaping industrial competition and innovation paradigms.

Focusing on the development path toward high-level Autonomous Networks (AN), Li Huidi outlined four key perspectives. First, AI must evolve from“bolt-on” to AI Native. AI will deeply integrated into network elements, operational processes, and services, thereby reshaping operational workflows and continuously improving efficiency. Second, networks must evolve from isolated intelligence to cross-domain End-to-End Collaboration, enabling wireless, core, transport, and IP networks to move beyond siloed operations, they must collaborate around the complete customer journey—from user to connection, from connection to service. Third, AN must shift from efficiency gains to value creation, delivering differentiated experiences, supporting sustainable development, and unlocking new business opportunities across the industry. Fourth, autonomy must evolve from terrestrial networks to Comprehensive Integrated networks, where 5G-A ISAC, computing-network convergence, and future 6G space–air–ground must all become part of a unified autonomous foundation.

As a key global contributor to AN development, China Mobile continues to play an industrial leadership role and accelerate the deployment of high-level autonomy. Currently, 21 high-value scenarios (HVS) have achieved L4 from China Mobile, covering key areas such as service provisioning, change monitoring, quality optimization, and power saving, leading to continuous reductions in operational costs. Over the next three years, China Mobile plans to expand L4 capabilities to 38 HVS and further scale AI-enabled scenarios, building a portfolio of iconic applications and agents that enhance both operational capabilities and business value.

In terms of technological innovation, China Mobile is accelerating the construction of a new autonomous network system featuring “AI Native networks + Digital Twin + Multi-Agent Collaboration + Computing-Network Integration.” In the AI Native networks, intelligent capabilities will be embedded into network equipment such as base stations, core networks, broadband access, and optical transport systems. In the Digital Twin domain, China Mobile will enable simulation, pre-verification, fault replay, and optimal decision-making. In Multi-Agent Collaboration, China Mobile is building a trusted AI system based on network foundation models and multi-agent collaboration frameworks. In Computing-Network Integration, it is developing high-quality infrastructure capabilities to support AI workloads and token-based traffic requirements in the AI era.

In closing, Dr. Li stated that the telecom industry is undergoing a historic transformation—from manual operations to automation, then to autonomous operations, and ultimately toward an AI-native paradigm. The networks of future will no longer merely connect people to people, or people to things. They will connect intent to outcomes.

The networks of future will no longer merely transport bits. They will understand demand, coordinate decisions, and create value.

China Mobile is committed to working hand in hand with global industry partners, upholding openness and collaboration, and advancing the deep integration of AI and information and telecom technology. Together, we will enter a new phase: driven by innovation, powered by thriving industries, built on trust and resilience, and designed to make intelligence accessible to all.

—accelerating the arrival of the future of AN.