The future impact of 5G and AI

According to The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, half of the surveyed businesses are expecting the adoption of AI to lead to job growth, with Qualcomm forecasting 22.8 million 5G-enabled jobs by 2035. But beyond employment opportunities – what is the true impact of these technologies – and how are different sectors benefitting from AI?

For example, for some small businesses, a rapid 5G network will enable faster bookings of customer appointments, while AI can learn the best times for clients and schedule these automatically. The same also stands for employee shift scheduling; AI can determine the best times to schedule specific team members based on peak times and make the schedules at a scale far beyond human capabilities. 

For the retail industry, AI and 5G in tandem can aid innovation. Retailers can offer virtual try-on and try-out opportunities for customers using Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR); from finding the ideal piece of clothing to visualising how furniture could fit into a specific room. At the same time, businesses can use AI technology to understand shopper data to determine habits, helping create targeted deals and optimising marketing communications. 

5G connectivity from Three Business is already helping the widespread rollout and implementation of smart and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, which are estimated to reach a volume of 25 billion by 2025. 

This kind of superfast, next-generation connectivity will also continue to improve services in different industries. Healthcare organisations have already started incorporating AR training methods, and in the future new practices like remote robotic surgeries and virtual consultations will be more commonplace in a sector continuously seeking efficiency and navigating increasing patient demand. 

Up to ten times faster than 4G, 5G enables the potential for millions more connections, while network speeds make 4K video conferencing and near-instant downloads a reality. Forbes findings show that 64% of business owners believe AI will improve customer relationships, while Deloitte notes the use of AR to create advanced customer experiences as a top reason for accelerated adoption of 5G.  

With a future-facing lens placed in front of today’s technological capabilities, the true potential is yet to be determined.

The biggest shift in technological innovation in recent years has been seeing AI and 5G in practice and how businesses all over the world are unlocking advantages with technological transformation. More than twenty years of AI development makes Google a frontier in the movement.

The Google Pixel 9 is 5G-ready and comes with the latest AI-powered features. Each function is built to help users save time, encounter less disruptions during the working day – and optimise processes at every turn.

• Google Gemini. Your intelligent, built-in AI assistant that enhances your workday to help plan meetings, summarise unread supplier emails, or offer inspiration for your next big pitch.
• AI Calling. From the likes of Call Assist for automated calling systems to Clear Calling for filtering out background noise, Pixel uses Google AI to optimise business calls.
• Circle to Search. A new way to find the information you need – without switching apps. Google AI helps your team push the boundaries of productivity, wherever you are, with a simple tap, highlight or scribble.

To truly see the impact of advanced technology, businesses of any size need a strong connectivity infrastructure to bring AI to life. Not only can 5G from Three Business keep devices connected and communicating to drive operational uptime, but it can transform how, when, and where teams stay in touch with one another, no matter the location.

• Fastest 5G Network in over 650 towns & cities. Three have more 5G than any other UK network, meaning faster downloads, seamless sharing, and effortless multitasking.
• More mobile data than any other UK operator. Three customers use over 2.4x more data than the UK average.
• Dedicated to expanding the network. Over 250 London Underground stations and 150 rural sites now have the Three 4G and 5G network.

AI is not an overnight digital sensation, and no longer does it belong to the future.

• AI is being leveraged as we speak by businesses of all sizes as a productivity-boosting, intelligent tool – and its use, functionality and benefits will only increase as time goes on.
• AI and 5G work hand in hand. For businesses to unlock the real advantages of AI, the technology must be underpinned by rapid and robust connectivity – something that 5G provides. 
• The Google Pixel 9 comes with more than 20 years of Google AI technology built in, while Three’s super-fast 5G network is continuously expanding, helping businesses to be at the forefront with the latest technologies.

Google Digital Garage is a flagship investment programme in the UK and part of the Europe-wide Grow with Google initiative, including dedicated courses to equip leaders and employees with the relevant skills to master AI. Each of these skills will help owners of Google handsets get the most out of its built-in technology. To learn more, check out the latest Google devices here.

And while AI technologies ripple through businesses across the country, Three Business is helping ensure they have the most robust and dependable 5G connectivity in place to support successful implementation. Find out how Three Business customers are already using 5G to enhance operations here.

• Fastest 5G – Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data for Q1-Q2 2024. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission. To verify, visit: speedtest.net/awards/fastest-5g to find out more.
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• Three UK’s network now carries more mobile data traffic (34%), than any other UK operator (Enders Analysis Q1 2024).
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