Ericsson has launched Cognitive Labs, a research-driven initiative dedicated to advancing AI for telecoms.
Operating virtually rather than from a single physical base, Cognitive Labs will explore AI technologies such as Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Active Learning, and Large-Scale Language Models (LLMs).
According to Ericsson, these innovations form the backbone of the company’s solutions for the next generation of mobile communications and signal the company’s commitment to extending AI’s transformative potential to other sectors, such as healthcare.
The initiative places a strong emphasis on open collaboration, engaging with the open-source community to further the development of AI technologies for wider societal benefit.
“Cognitive Labs represents our commitment to lead innovation in AI and make a significant contribution to the open source community,” said Jean-Christophe Laneri, Head of Cognitive Network Solutions at Ericsson.
“Our mission is to create world-class research that can benefit the academic community and enhances our products to better serve our customers.”
A triad of Ericsson AI labs
Central to the Cognitive Labs initiative are three distinct research arms, each focused on a specialised area of AI:
- GAI Lab (Geometric Artificial Intelligence Lab): This lab explores Geometric AI, emphasising explainability in geometric learning, graph generation, and temporal GNNs. Ericsson anticipates this work will make significant contributions to areas like drug discovery and enable the creation of more efficient pharmaceuticals.
- MLR Lab (Machine Learning and Reasoning Lab): Focusing on training model optimisation and reinforcement learning, this lab aims to advance energy-efficient training for AI models and support the creation of digital twins that simulate physical realities. The potential benefits include reductions in time and energy costs, key priorities in sustainable AI development.
- FAI Lab (Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Lab): Dedicated to foundational AI models like Large-Scale Language Models, this lab seeks to shape the future of AI applications in telecoms. Its primary mission is to automate processes and improve technological efficiencies crucial to the sector.
By organising Cognitive Labs into these specialised units, Ericsson looks to tackle diverse challenges while maintaining a cohesive focus on leveraging AI for wide-ranging applications.
Open-source collaboration
In line with its ties to the open-source community, Cognitive Labs prioritises the development of reusable AI libraries. This accessibility helps both researchers and industry professionals accelerate progress across multiple domains—from healthcare to digital communications.
Additionally, Ericsson hopes to attract leading global researchers and data scientists to its fold, enhancing its credentials as a leader in AI innovation.
Spain is emerging as a cornerstone for Cognitive Labs, with Ericsson Spain playing a leading role due to its robust R&D activities in Madrid and Málaga. This focus has been bolstered by a new agreement with Universidad Pontificia Comillas, specifically with its School of Engineering (Comillas ICAI).
The alliance between Ericsson and ICAI is set to accelerate AI research through joint publications and active participation in open-source initiatives. Teams of Ericsson’s top engineers and data scientists will closely collaborate with the university’s research teams to drive innovation at both national and European levels.
“The close collaboration between top data scientists and engineers from Ericsson and ICAI’s teams will enable Ericsson Spain to lead innovation at the national and European levels, strengthening its position as a benchmark in technology and development,” Ericsson stated.
The partnership underscores Ericsson’s commitment not only to its Cognitive Labs initiative but also to developing Spain’s expertise in cutting-edge AI technologies. Through these R&D efforts, the company seeks to reinforce its position as a leading innovator in telecoms and beyond.
With AI set to play a critical role in shaping the next generation of mobile communications, Ericsson’s Cognitive Labs marks a vital step forward—not only for the company but also for industries and communities that stand to benefit from its far-reaching, transformative potential.
See also: World Economic Forum unveils blueprint for equitable AI
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