In an era characterized by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly through groundbreaking models, the demand for innovation across numerous industries has surgedAlongside this, the implications of these advancements on information and communication technology (ICT) are profound, driving a reinvention of the industry landscape as we know itWith this technological renaissance unfolding, the ICT sector faces crucial questions regarding the transformative effects of AI and the necessary ecosystems that should emerge to fully realize its potential.

The fusion of the digital economy with traditional sectors is no longer a mere ambition; it has become a shared consensus among businesses and policymakers alikeIdentified as a linchpin in this integration, AI functions as a catalyst for enhanced productivity and innovation

This recognition culminated in initiatives at the start of the year that promoted rigorous research and application in big data and AI, epitomized in the "AI+" movement—essentially a strategy geared towards amalgamating AI with existing productivity to uplift overall efficiency.

Despite AI technologies like large models being relatively nascent, their impact on infrastructure, application environments, and the entire industrial ecosystem is already evidentThe implementation of "AI+" is no straightforward task; it necessitates a concerted effort from market leaders to synchronize supply chains and demands, establishing an open and beneficial new ecosystem for the industry.

For instance, the surge in AI requires an advanced infrastructure to support the myriad processes of training and inference, prompting a need for diverse computing power to become a priority in enterprises’ digital transformation strategies

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Projections by IDC indicate that by 2028, AI servers will command a share of 33.6% in global server expenditures, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 17% over the next five yearsThis clearly underscores the urgency with which organizations must pivot and adapt.

Further, while AI introduces a plethora of business scenarios, no singular large model can cater to all the distinct demands of these varied applicationsHence, future success hinges on leveraging suitable models within appropriate contextsOrganizations must harness the collective capabilities of the industry ecosystem to ensure they not only utilize but also optimize the selected models effectively.

Moreover, the AI industry is in its formative stages, characterized by a fragmented ecosystem that presents significant challengesA major objective moving forward will be to bridge the gaps between different sectors with an emphasis on innovation as the driving force, supported by the practical application of emerging AI technologies

This holistic transformation will serve as the backbone of a newly structured ICT industry ecosystem.

At the 2024 Cloud Network Summit, ZTE Corporation articulated its vision to foster a new ecosystem characterized by openness and empowermentAs a “builder of the digital economy,” ZTE aims to bolster basic technology innovation, promote collaborative development within supply chains, enhance new infrastructure, and empower industries through sophisticated applications.

The notion of tackling the most challenging aspects of ecosystem development is paramountZTE embarks on this journey by devising strategies that leave simplified processes for clients and partners, thus enhancing overall efficiency.

The challenge of infrastructure within this AI-driven environment is to unlock full computing potential

With the rapid expansion of AI models, there is a growing demand for computing power that escalates by a staggering tenfold per yearHowever, the underutilization of AI clusters—critical to training and inference—highlights performance limitations that need addressing.

To confront these challenges, ZTE's Chief Development Officer, Cui Li, emphasizes two pivotal questions: firstly, how to employ emerging technologies to reduce the unit cost of computing power so that companies can afford it; and secondly, how to create a nurturing AI-native ecosystem allowing industry applications to decouple from various computing architectures facilitating interoperability.

To this end, ZTE is positioned as a unique provider of end-to-end intelligent computing solutions characterized by comprehensive hardware capabilities, effective software tools, and engineering prowess

They stand out in a market increasingly demanding holistic solutions capable of addressing the engineering intricacies associated with AI training and inference, ultimately aiming to improve efficiency in model training.

Building on its established expertise across ICT domains like communication, networking, and computing, ZTE has designed an industry-leading, comprehensive intelligent computing solutionThe company is poised to significantly expand investments in computing research, aiming for a seamless transition from connectivity to enriched computing power, reinforcing ZTE's commitment to resolving fundamental industry challenges to deliver superior technological outcomes for enterprises.

In addition to foundational infrastructure, the deployment and innovation of AI in specialized sectors necessitate nuanced model adaptations

Unique to each vertical industry are distinct data sets, knowledge bases, contexts, and operational logicsHence, the implementation of specialized large models combined with various complementary models becomes an intricate task.

ZTE's “1+N+X” large model strategy exemplifies this approach by leveraging a dual focus on in-house and ecosystem partnerships to develop “N” domain-specific models that derive “X” applications to assist vertical sectors in their digital transformation journeysThey introduced the Digital Nebula 3.0 solution to accelerate the development of AI applications tailored for diverse business scenarios, ensuring market participants harness the complexities of AI with greater ease.

As articulated by Hu Xuemei, Vice President of ZTE, the Digital Nebula 3.0 addresses critical issues regarding data processing, training, application deployment, and security, ultimately streamlining AI application development

The focus here is on delivering adaptive architectures capable of keeping pace with fast-evolving AI technologies and market demands.

ZTE's overarching strategy is to hone in on AI as a core capability, cleverly integrating it into product development across the boardTheir emphasis on a combination of innovation, networked computing, and coordinated efforts between the cloud, edge, and endpoint aims to facilitate a comprehensive upgrade for users in the evolving digital landscape.

The journey ahead for AI-enhanced models is just beginning; the vast potential for technological innovation remains largely untappedThe cacophony surrounding AI's rapid development should not overshadow the necessity for a healthy, sustainable ecosystem capable of fostering productive change across industriesThis evolution calls for a long-term commitment from market participants focused on collaborative ecosystem development.

ZTE recognizes the intricacies involved in ecosystem cultivation and has made noteworthy strides by nurturing partnerships with over 1,000 leading entities to develop more than 100 scenario-based solutions, fortifying the cloud network ecosystem.

Moreover, ZTE is strategically advancing the ecosystem along three axes: optimizing product ecosystems, broadening industrial partnerships, and solidifying commercial frameworks

By meticulously enhancing technological foundations and integrating a wide spectrum of collaboration, ZTE promotes an expansive cloud network ecosystem capable of navigating digital transformation challenges.

The company envisions an operational model defined by "large organization, small teams," allowing for enhanced resource allocation and agile response mechanisms tailored to the needs of industry clientsBy refining internal integration and aligning capabilities with market demands, ZTE is committed to elevating client satisfaction while simplifying processes for partners and ultimately fostering better growth opportunities.

ZTE's insights into the current AI wave reveal a profound understanding of the technological landscapeTheir robust adoption of AI-oriented product strategies coupled with an empowering ecosystem approach positions them to seamlessly integrate leading technologies into an array of business transformations