6G and Artificial Intelligence are an alliance that redefines the concept of communications

With geopolitical tensions rising and innovation accelerating, technology is no longer just a tool for growth, but a critical element in the national sovereignty equation.

This topic formed the core of the session “Will Technological Innovations Become Sovereign Assets?” Which was held as part of the World Government Summit, with the participation of global leaders from the technology sector.

The session touched on the future of communications networks, as participants explained that the sixth generation of communications will be entirely based on artificial intelligence, and able to adapt to the needs of different applications in real time, from augmented reality to smart services.

During the session, IBM Chairman and CEO, Arvind Krishna, stressed that technology has become as important as defense and finance to countries, describing it as a “force multiplier” that enhances countries’ ability to protect their security, stimulate their economy, and accelerate innovation across various sectors.

Krishna explained that artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and quantum computing are no longer future technologies, but rather present pillars that form the basis of economic growth, stressing that the concept of technological sovereignty does not mean isolation, but rather possessing the ability to control the vital digital structure, ensure its continuity, and protect it from any interruption or hacking.

In contrast, Ericsson Group President and CEO, Børje Ekholm, offered a different approach, warning that the term “technological sovereignty” might suggest the possibility of complete independence, which is unrealistic in a digitally interconnected world.

He pointed out that most countries depend, to varying degrees, on cross-border technologies and partners, which makes interdependence, not separation, the fundamental feature of the global technological system.

He said that the sixth generation of communications, 6G, will be entirely based on artificial intelligence, and will be able to adapt to the needs of different applications in real time, from augmented reality to smart services, noting that countries like the UAE have made advanced progress in building the foundations necessary for this transformation through independent fifth generation networks.

Ekholm stressed that the real challenge does not lie in building everything locally, but rather in choosing reliable partners and building trust-based digital systems capable of ensuring data security, operational continuity, and network safety.

Krishna also pointed to the prospects of quantum computing, expecting it to begin to have a tangible economic impact within the next few years, especially in the areas of designing advanced materials, improving financial models, and raising the efficiency of supply chains and logistics services.