AI in communications walks a tightrope between immense opportunities and increasingly complex global regulations.
This technology is now deeply integrated into nearly every aspect of a carrier’s business, from network optimization and predictive maintenance to customer service and fraud detection. But for carriers, simply adapting to new rules is a strategy doomed to failure. Instead, the industry must actively shape its own future by championing ethical and responsible AI.
According to Omdia, telcos will have to deal with formal AI regulation from at least two jurisdictions: the EU and South Korea. Both employ risk-based frameworks, with the strictest rules reserved for the riskiest AI applications.
But this sensible approach hides the differences. For example, EU AI law is broadly applicable and applies to users of AI systems. Korea’s AI Basic Law further focuses on developers and organizations that provide AI-powered products and services.
This difference is just the beginning of a complex global patchwork. Other countries have begun their own regulatory processes with public consultations, but many of these initiatives may take some time to be finalized and implemented. This creates a difficult and uncertain environment for multinational carriers to ensure compliance with AI regulations.
“The overarching impact of these two regulations on carriers is that they will incur more compliance efforts and costs to meet new legal requirements regarding safety standards,” said Sarah McBride, Principal Regulatory Analyst at Omdia.
This will require fundamental changes in the way AI systems are developed, deployed, and managed across diverse and often contradictory legal environments.
Understand the core risks of AI
Beyond the telecom industry, lawmakers around the world are trying to balance the benefits of AI against the risks of varying degrees of regulation. These challenges can undermine customer trust and operational integrity.
The core issues revolve around the quality and nature of data, accountability, and security. Key risks include the availability of unbiased and reliable data, the cybersecurity implications of interconnected AI systems, and persistent privacy issues.
Another important challenge is establishing responsibility if something goes wrong. This is a particularly thorny issue given the complexity of modern AI ecosystems. Ensuring that the decision-making processes of these systems are explainable and transparent is another hurdle to overcome.
“Telcos must comply with key AI regulatory requirements across multiple policy areas, including high-risk situations, prohibitions on use, transparency, and enforcement,” McBride explained. “They also face AI-specific policies and regulations around data and privacy, critical infrastructure security requirements, consumer protection measures, and digital sovereignty considerations.”
The message is clear. AI governance must be woven into the very fabric of an organization.
From AI regulatory compliance to telecom industry leadership
In the face of this regulatory maze, a reactive attitude is simply not viable. Waiting for each jurisdiction to finalize its rules before acting leaves us behind the curve. The smartest path forward is for carriers to take the lead. Omdia believes it would be wise for carriers to “actively implement risk management frameworks within their systems and lead the push for ethical and responsible AI technologies.”
This includes moving beyond a purely legalistic view of compliance and promoting a culture of ethical AI development. This means establishing internal standards that meet or exceed the highest regulatory standards set globally.
By doing so, carriers can create a consistent and responsible framework that can be adapted to specific local requirements as they arise, rather than constantly rebuilding their approach from scratch. The successful implementation of AI in communications depends on this delicate balance.
“AI presents many opportunities for innovation for telcos, but the risks must be thoroughly assessed before implementation, and standards of data quality, accuracy, robustness and non-discrimination must be adhered to,” McBride said.
Businesses that succeed in this new era will be those who see regulation not as a burden, but as a guidepost for building reliable and sustainable innovation. By leading responsible AI efforts with a clear strategy, rather than reactively complying with regulations, carriers can ensure their own success and shape a more trusted future for everyone.
See also: How 6G deployments can learn from 5G mistakes
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