NoF 2025 Keynotes
Keynote #1:
Title: Generative AI, LLMs and Multimodal Data in the Next Generation Wireless Networks
Abstract: The next generation of wireless networks will need significant automation and AI capabilities while making use of multimodal data from the network and the environment. The comprehension of such data calls for advanced transformer-based machine learning models. The past three years has been the year of Generative AI, marking a fundamental change in how AI is perceived and used by the public. In this irreversible societal revolution, we have a journey to go from predictive analytics and intelligent control algorithms that allow turning the knobs and optimizing system parameters, towards more capable AI that understand the inherent complexities of the network better than humans do. To this end, reinforcement learning, deep reinforcement learning, transfer learning and many other ML algorithms have shown great success in optimizing network functions, besides being instrumental in providing insights for network operations. In this talk, we will start by providing an overview of the state-of-art machine learning algorithms used in 5G networks and 6G research and continue with the possibilities that come with the availability of multimodal data and Generative AI algorithms that can process this data. We will touch the tip of the iceberg-of-opportunities when Generative AI meets the telecom world.
Melike Erol-Kantarci
(University of Ottawa & Ericsson, Canada)
Bio: Melike (Mel) Erol-Kantarci is a highly cited prolific researcher and an influential industry leader in AI in telecom. She is Strategic Product Manager for AI in RAN at Ericsson and Canada Research Chair in AI-enabled Next-Generation Wireless Networks and Full Professor at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Throughout her 15+ years of career in communications, she has received numerous awards and recognitions from technical societies. Dr. Erol-Kantarci is the co-editor of four books on explainable AI, smart grids, smart cities and intelligent transportation. She has over 200+ peer-reviewed publications with citations over 10,000 and h-index 50. She is a sought-after speaker with 80+ keynotes, plenary talks and tutorials around the globe both at industry events and academic conferences. Dr. Erol-Kantarci serves on the editorial board of several IEEE transactions. She has acted as the general chair and the technical program chair for many international conferences and workshops. Currently, she is the Vice-chair of IEEE ComSoc emerging technologies initiative on Machine Learning for Communications. Her main research interests are AI-enabled wireless networks, 5G and 6G wireless communications, smart grid and Internet of Things. She was an IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer between 2020-2023. She is an IEEE Fellow.
Keynote #2:
Title: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Halim Yanikomeroglu
(Chancellor's Professor at Carleton University, Canada)
Bio: Halim Yanikomeroglu is a Professor in the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. His research group has made substantial contributions to 4G and 5G wireless technologies; his group’s current focus is the wireless infrastructure for 2030s and 2040s. His extensive collaboration with industry resulted in 39 granted patents. He is a Fellow of IEEE, EIC (Engineering Institute of Canada), and CAE (Canadian Academy of Engineering), and a Distinguished Speaker for both IEEE Communications Society and IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. Dr. Yanikomeroglu received several awards for his research, teaching, and service.