From Automation to Autonomy: Building Self-Driving Networks

Why It Matters

Self‑driving networks dramatically cut operational overhead while elevating customer experience, giving enterprises a scalable foundation for digital transformation.

Key Takeaways

• Network uptime no longer equals good user experience
• Self‑driving networks use AI to autonomously resolve issues
• Deployments can shrink from months to hours with automation
• Customer‑generated trouble tickets drop over 90% after adoption
• Enhanced experience enables digital services like real‑time wheelchair tracking

Summary

At MWC26, HPE’s EVP Sujay Haja outlined how AI is turning traditional network automation into truly autonomous, self‑driving networks that prioritize user experience over mere uptime.

Haja emphasized that ‘up is not the same as good,’ arguing that networks must learn, adapt, and optimize to deliver consistent end‑user performance. The AI engine continuously monitors traffic, detects anomalies, and automatically remediates faults—such as unblocking a stuck switch port that halted video‑camera recordings.

He cited concrete results: customers have provisioned over 3,000 network elements in a single night, slashed user‑generated trouble tickets by more than 90%, and enabled digital services like real‑time wheelchair tracking in hospitals, turning enterprises ‘digitally alive.’

The shift promises enterprises faster deployments, lower operational costs, and a competitive edge through superior digital experiences, signaling a broader industry move toward AI‑driven network autonomy.

Original Description

Sujai Hajela explains how AI-native automation is transforming network operations at scale. From predictive remediation to coordinated, cross-domain intelligence, he shares how HPE is building self-driving networks that deliver consistent, secure experiences across distributed environments.

Recorded March 2026

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