More than infrastructure, networks are becoming intelligent systems

(April 2026) Digital services now depend on networks that do more than move data. As applications grow more complex, the underlying network infrastructure is expected to sense, adapt, and support decision-making in real time.

That creates big pressure for industries built on critical communications. Power grids, for example, must connect vast numbers of assets securely while maintaining reliability under changing conditions. At the same time, operators must integrate AI into their operations, using data to monitor systems, predict failures, and optimize performance without compromising stability.

Dr. Xiang Liu, Fellow of the IEEE and Optica, argues that advances in optical network standards are central to meeting these requirements. He points to emerging frameworks that aim to align high-capacity connectivity with AI-driven applications, enabling more resilient infrastructure and more responsive operations.

In a Transform Talks interview with Huawei’s Executive Editor-in-Chief Gavin Allen, Dr. Liu explains how optical networks are evolving to support AI at scale—and why combining connectivity with intelligence will shape the next phase of industrial digitalization.