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Ericsson's View on Physical AI and the Future of Enterprise Networks
Insights
- AI is shifting from digital applications to physical environments, driving a new wave of robotics and automation that depends on real-time connectivity.
- As AI moves into mission-critical use cases, enterprises require untethered, highly reliable, and secure network infrastructure.
- Low latency and localized data processing at the edge are becoming essential to support real-world AI applications safely and effectively.
At MWC 2026, Viswanath Kalur of Ericsson explores a pivotal shift in the industry: AI is no longer confined to software but is moving into the physical world. The conversation highlights how robotics and automation are evolving from controlled environments into dynamic, real-world settings, where they interact directly with people and assets. This transition places new demands on connectivity, making it a critical enabler of safe and reliable operations. Enterprises are increasingly seeking mobile, always-on networks that are not only secure but also capable of supporting low-latency, mission-critical workloads. As AI inference moves closer to the edge, the role of connectivity becomes central to unlocking the next phase of enterprise transformation.
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Samad Masood:
What do you see as a big shift in the industry right now with enterprises engaging more with networks directly?
AI is moving from software into the real world
Viswanath Kalur:
We've been talking about AI, you know, of course, for the last few years and we are, everybody agrees, that we are at an inflection point. But what I want everyone to notice is that AI is also making a shift from being a digital solution, now it is moving to physical AI.
What it means is that now you have all these advanced robotics and automation solutions that you've seen all these years. They are getting a new life. In other words, you must have seen robots being employed by many different industries, in various forms in the last several years. They were always kept in a cage.
So now the cage is open. Now you have these robots moving and interacting with people and property.
So, these robots require robust and reliable connectivity for them to perform these operations safe. So, what I mean is that as the AI moves from digital to physical, connectivity becomes a key component of that enabler.
AI is redefining what enterprises expect from networks
Viswanath Kalur:
We have seen a lot of interest from enterprises, especially enterprises who are deploying mission-critical solutions or use mission critical applications. They have realized the need for number one, they want untethered connectivity, right? That means that, you know, they want mobility. And then number two, they want something more reliable, and ubiquitous as well as very secure. And another trend that we are seeing is that they want the connectivity to stay local.
That's from a data security point of view. But also mission critical applications require low latency, which means that, you know, if you are really employing AI, you are really moving those inference models to the edge so that you can support those mission-critical requirements. And that's where connectivity plays a huge role.
