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As AI use and downstream applications of AI continue to grow, demand for reliable, high-speed, high-capacity networks will also grow. This hearing examined how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming communications networks and how the technology can enhance services across the country.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, Chairman of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, convened a hearing titled 'Intelligent Networks: Powering Artificial Intelligence and Transforming Communications.' The hearing's primary goal was to examine the bidirectional relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and telecommunications networks, focusing on how AI is reshaping networks and enhancing services nationwide. Key witnesses included Mr. Dan Watermeier of the Nebraska Public Service Commission, Mr. Jonathan Spalter from USTelecom, and Mr. Bob Everson, Chief Architect at Cisco.
The discussion highlighted that AI's development necessitates low-latency and high-bandwidth networks. With AI becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and business— evidenced by nearly three-quarters of enterprises using AI in 2024 and over half of Americans using generative AI in 2025—the demand for robust, high-speed, and high-capacity networks is surging. This trend is expected to continue as AI applications scale and become more sophisticated, placing greater strain on existing infrastructure.
The rapid adoption of AI has compelled communications networks to evolve, requiring significant increases in capacity and more intricate designs to support efficient AI operations. Both government and private sectors are actively responding to this demand. Private companies have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in network deployment, complemented by billions from various federal broadband programs aimed at targeted network expansion and maintenance across the United States.
A critical part of the hearing involved identifying and reviewing the obstacles that hinder the development of AI-supportive networks. Senator Fischer specifically pointed out that 'opaque regulations and lack of coordination' should not impede the progress of network development, which is crucial for enabling numerous downstream AI applications vital to the nation's technological advancement and economic growth.
Beyond AI's demands on networks, the hearing also explored its potential to enhance network capabilities. AI can be a powerful tool for improving network efficiency and security. This suggests a symbiotic relationship where AI not only relies on advanced networks but can also contribute to their resilience and performance, allowing for proactive planning and optimization of future network infrastructure.
Senator Fischer underscored two fundamental reasons for prioritizing AI-ready networks: a geostrategic imperative to ensure the U.S. maintains the world's best, most resilient, and secure networks amidst global competition, and the necessity of reliable connectivity to unlock the full economic benefits of AI and other emerging technologies nationwide. She provided examples from Nebraska, illustrating how robust networks support connectivity-based agricultural solutions, enable rural hospitals to utilize advanced medical technologies, and allow manufacturers to streamline processes through IoT, robotics, and cloud systems.