Nvidia: AI now driving telecom revenue, automation and network evolution

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Enterprise Ecosystems; 19 February 2026; 1298 views

Nvidia’s latest survey reveals artificial intelligence is delivering tangible commercial impact across telecommunications, becoming central to network automation and investment strategies as operators prepare for next-generation services.

The annual “State of AI in Telecommunications 2026” report, published by Nvidia and based on responses from operators and industry players, found that a vast majority of telecoms organisations believe AI is already boosting revenue and cutting costs. Roughly nine in 10 respondents said AI has had a positive impact on both annual revenue and cost management, with autonomous networks, customer service improvements and internal process optimisation cited as top drivers of return on investment.

Network automation has overtaken traditional customer experience applications as the leading focus for AI deployment, signalling a shift towards systems that can self-configure, heal and optimise with minimal human intervention. Around 77% of operators said they expect AI-native networks to launch ahead of commercial 6G, while 60% reported they are already using or evaluating generative AI in their operations - up from 49% in 2024.

The survey also highlighted rising AI investment, with nearly nine in 10 telcos planning to increase AI budgets in 2026, and 35% expecting year-on-year spending growth of more than 10%. Open-source models and software were flagged as critical components of operators’ AI strategies.

Industry contributors noted the role of AI in reshaping core network functions. Autonomous networks are seen as delivering rapid ROI by reducing outages, lowering energy consumption and automating repetitive workflows. Operators are also stepping up investment in edge computing and AI-native wireless infrastructure to bring processing closer to users and support emerging applications.