The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Focus Group on AI-Native for Telecommunication Networks (FG-AINN) convened its first in-person meeting in Istanbul, hosted by Turkcell. Held from April 10–12, 2025, the event brought together global telecom leaders, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate the development of AI-native network frameworks—seen as foundational to future 6G systems.
The meeting was opened by high-level remarks from Dr. Ali Taha Koç, CEO of Turkcell; Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, Chairman of Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK); and Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB). Their messages emphasized the strategic importance of aligning AI development with global telecom standards and national digital strategies.
“AI-powered networks, equipped with autonomous decision-making and ultra-low latency, will soon become the backbone of next-generation communication. We are proud to bring together global experts to shape this future from Istanbul.”
Dr. Ali Taha Koç, CEO of Turkcell
FG-AINN was launched by ITU in 2023 to define what it means for a network to be AI-native—not merely assisted by AI but designed from the ground up to integrate AI into network operations, decision-making, and optimization. Areas of focus include autonomy, trustworthiness, data governance, spectrum awareness, and the real-time responsiveness needed for next-generation applications.
“Quantum will be a key enabler of the future of secure communication,”
Dr. Ali Taha Koç, CEO of Turkcell
“The transition to AI-powered networks is not merely a technological leap but a paradigm shift that will transform all sectors. “
BTK Chairman Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu
Why it matters:
As the industry evolves toward 6G, embedding AI capabilities natively within networks is expected to enhance flexibility, resilience, and service innovation. The FG-AINN initiative provides a forum for pre-standardization dialogue that could shape global policy and technical architectures for years to come. Hosting this meeting in Türkiye also reflects the country’s growing role as a digital transformation leader in the broader EMEA region.
