"STL Partners predicts one AI-related growth area among telcos but warns of a slower adoption or pullbacks in three others. First, the AI optimism: Telcos will increasingly adopt voice-based AI, analysts believe. Already, some of the biggest global telcos are using embedded voice assistance in AI channels for enterprise customers. In 2026, telcos are likely to adopt voice technologies for customer calls as well. Immediate benefits could include live translation and integration of digital assistance services."
"Telcos that haven't already launched AI apps for business are unlikely to do so in 2026. Instead, these smaller companies will rely on white-label services and "wait for the opportunity to crystallize." STL researchers also predicted a significant global telco would be "humbled by a major cybersecurity attack in 2026." That, in turn, would likely make smaller telcos wary of sharing their proprietary data with third-party models. Instead, smaller firms may host their own data and develop custom AI models on top of foundation models."
"However, early AI agents are operating under tight restrictions and overseen by humans. Finally, the STL report predicts Nvidia will stop investing in telco by the end of 2026. "The industry will remain unconvinced by the necessity to deploy GPUs as part of the 6G RAN refresh, particularly in relation to the ambition of hosting enterprise workloads on the spare capacity of the RAN," the report reads."
A global research firm predicts the AI boom for telecoms will start leveling out in 2026. Telcos will increasingly adopt voice-based AI for enterprise channels and customer calls, delivering live translation and integrated digital assistance. Operators that have not launched AI business apps are unlikely to do so in 2026 and will rely on white-label services while they wait for opportunities to crystallize. A predicted major cybersecurity attack could make smaller telcos wary of sharing proprietary data, prompting them to host their own data and build custom AI models atop foundation models. Autonomous AI agents will expand cautiously under human oversight, and Nvidia may cease telco investments by end of 2026.
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