Panel 2 - Open 6G: From Telco to AI – Towards an Open, Intelligent and Sovereign Networking Ecosystem
Professor, Sorbonne University, France
Panel 2 - Open 6G: From Telco to AI – Towards an Open, Intelligent and Sovereign Networking Ecosystem
Abstract
The networking community is witnessing one of its most profound transformations since the advent of the Internet. As networks evolve towards programmable infrastructures and AI-native systems, openness is no longer limited to software and interfaces—it now encompasses research data, AI models, experimentation platforms, and the orchestration of this distributed intelligence on the edge-cloud continuum. The convergence of telecommunications, cloud computing, AI, and open-source ecosystems is reshaping how future 6G networks will be designed, deployed, and operated. This evolution also raises fundamental scientific and strategic questions. How can we ensure that AI-native networking remains open, reproducible, and interoperable? What role should research infrastructures play in supporting open experimentation? Can foundation models become common assets for the networking community? How do we balance international cooperation with the growing need for digital sovereignty? The panel will bring together academic experts to discuss these questions and explore how open research, AI, and experimentation can collectively accelerate the development of knowledge and support 6G academic research and education.
Biography
Serge Fdida is a Professor with Sorbonne Université, Paris, France. His research interests are related to the future digital infrastructures (internet, 6G, …). Serge Fdida is a member of the French Academy of Technology, an IEEE Fellow and an ACM Sigcomm Distinguished Scientist. He steered the successful SLICES initiative, the first large-scale scientific instrument in Digital Sciences, that entered the ESFRI roadmap in 2021. Serge Fdida also developed a strong experience related to innovation and industry transfer: - co-founder of the Qosmos and Hopcast companies, - leadership role to the creation of the Cap Digital cluster in Paris, President of EIT Health France and coordinator of the 4EU+ European University. He also developed a strong experience in the governance of Higher research and education organizations: Adviser ITC Department CNRS (2000-2005); Vice-President European affairs University P&M Curie (2014-2018); Vice-President International Development of Sorbonne Université (2018-2021).