InterDigital CTO on How 6G Can Support AI-Driven Applications

Why It Matters

The synergy between 6G and AI will enable new high‑performance services, making early, coordinated standardisation essential for industry leadership.

Key Takeaways

• 6G needs massive uplink throughput for AI models
• Target latency under one millisecond for real‑time AI
• Global standardisation prevents fragmented 6G ecosystems
• InterDigital active in 3GPP pre‑standard work
• AI and 6G will co‑evolve, not compete

Pulse Analysis

The race to 6G is accelerating as enterprises demand network capabilities that can handle the data‑intensive nature of generative AI, autonomous systems, and immersive media. Unlike 5G, which primarily focused on downlink speed, the next generation must prioritize uplink capacity to ferry massive model updates and sensor streams from edge devices to cloud or edge servers. Coupled with this, latency targets are tightening to sub‑millisecond levels, a prerequisite for real‑time inference and closed‑loop control in applications such as remote surgery or industrial robotics.

Technical specifications for 6G are co‑evolving with AI workloads. Researchers are exploring terahertz spectrum bands and advanced massive MIMO configurations to deliver the required bandwidth, while network slicing will allocate dedicated resources for AI services. Edge computing integration becomes a core pillar, reducing round‑trip times by processing data closer to the source. Additionally, AI‑native network management—using machine learning to optimize routing, interference mitigation, and energy efficiency—will be baked into the protocol stack, creating a feedback loop where the network and applications continuously enhance each other.

Standardisation is the linchpin that will determine whether 6G delivers on its promise. InterDigital’s involvement in early‑stage bodies and 3GPP working groups signals a push for a single, globally harmonised framework, avoiding the fragmentation seen in earlier generations. By contributing to spectrum allocation strategies, security protocols, and AI‑aware radio interface definitions, InterDigital aims to shape a flexible yet interoperable standard. Coordinated global adoption will accelerate commercial roll‑outs, reduce costs for manufacturers, and ensure that AI‑driven services can scale seamlessly across borders, cementing 6G’s role as the backbone of the next digital economy.

Original Description

At MWC26, Rajesh Pankaj, CTO at InterDigital, explains how 6G and AI will complement each other rather than compete. He outlines the technical requirements for 6G to support AI-driven applications, such as increased uplink capacity and lower latency, and highlights the importance of global alignment and standardisation. He also shares InterDigital’s involvement in pre-standards bodies and 3GPP to help define and develop a single global standard for 6G.

Featuring: Rajesh Pankaj, CTO, InterDigital Inc

Recorded March 2026

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