Verizon outlines AI plan for meeting future AI needs
Verizon AI Connect, an integrated suite of solutions and products for deploying AI workloads at scale, is making waves in the tech industry with its strategic partnerships and innovative approach to AI infrastructure.
Currently, Verizon is leveraging its 5G-Advanced private networks combined with Mobile Edge Compute (MEC) and NVIDIA’s AI stack to enable real-time AI inference for applications like robotics, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality/Extended Reality (AR/VR/XR), computer vision, generative AI, and industrial automation. This approach empowers enterprises by running AI workloads directly where data is generated, reducing latency and improving responsiveness.
Google Cloud and Meta are already using additional capacity provided by Verizon to support their AI workloads, while NVIDIA AI and accelerated computing, integrated with Verizon's network, allows enterprises to easily adopt AI-powered services at scale. According to Vasishta, this integration enables advanced AI applications such as live production video analytics and generative AI.
Verizon AI Connect integrates edge-to-cloud network intelligence, enabling hosting of large-scale AI workloads on Verizon’s programmable 5G infrastructure. This infrastructure supports dynamic bandwidth scaling and instant network programmability that facilitates rapid response to spikes in AI demand, enabling seamless transitions from 1 Gbps to 100 Gbps data streams over both fiber and 5G. This is crucial for AI workloads.
Verizon's "hub and highway" vision positions its network as the intelligent backbone connecting edge AI infrastructure with cloud and data centers. The company is expanding its AI ecosystem through key partnerships and collaborations, including with NVIDIA, Vultr, Google Cloud, and Meta.
J.J. Kardwell, the CEO of Vultr, stated that GPUs play a crucial role in powering AI workloads and the rapidly growing demand for real-time inference is driving the need for AI infrastructure at the edge. Gaya Nagarajan, the vice president of network infrastructure at Meta, highlighted that Verizon's network is being strengthened with AI and the future in mind.
Looking forward, Verizon plans to expand AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) offerings powered by 5G-Advanced low latency and edge compute. By packaging GPUaaS and AI capabilities as services, Verizon aims to enable enterprises to deploy large AI models and applications ubiquitously, on demand. This will facilitate mass adoption of AI workloads running directly on edge infrastructure, enabling real-time, location-aware AI intelligence for industries ranging from industrial automation to live media production.
Key points:
| Aspect | Current Role | Future Role | Enabling Partners | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------| | Connectivity | Programmable 5G-Advanced private networks (low-latency) | Real-time, dynamic bandwidth scaling (up to 100 Gbps) | Verizon | | Compute (Edge & Cloud) | NVIDIA AI stacks for AI inference on MEC | Expanded GPUaaS and AIaaS capabilities at edge and cloud | NVIDIA, Google Cloud | | Security | Hardware accelerators (DPUs), secure data transmission | Integrated, scalable security for AI workloads | NVIDIA, Meta (implied) | | AI Workloads | Real-time AI in robotics, AR/VR/XR, live video production | Large-scale AI workloads on programmable 5G infrastructure | Verizon, NVIDIA, Vultr |
Thus, Verizon AI Connect, through strategic creation of AI-native 5G-A networks and edge compute platforms, supported by cloud and AI infrastructure partners, is positioned as a pivotal enabler of low-latency, secure, and scalable AI workloads at the network edge.
Financing for large-scale AI workloads may become more accessible through partnerships with Verizon AI Connect, as its integrated infrastructure could reduce costs associated with data transfer and latency for enterprises in the technology industry.
Advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in areas like industrial automation, are expected to benefit from Verizon AI Connect's expanding AI-as-a-Service offerings, powered by 5G-Advanced low latency and edge compute, boasting partners such as NVIDIA and Google Cloud.
