GCOT publishes principles on AI adoption in the telecoms industry
04 February 2025

04 February 2025
On 16 January 2025, the Global Coalition on Telecommunications or "GCOT" (being the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan and USA), published a joint statement setting out six voluntary principles on AI adoption in the telecoms industry.
The principles are intended to support the responsible development and deployment of AI systems across telecoms operations. They are aimed at industry leaders and stakeholders developing and/or deploying AI systems in their operations.
Innovation and competition – "AI systems in telecommunications should be leveraged to drive innovation and promote a competitive, innovative telecommunications market, while respecting Intellectual Property Rights."
AI isn't "new" in telecoms, but there is still significant opportunity for AI innovation: Telcos already use forms of AI to improve performance and reduce costs. In the next decade, use of more advanced AI will "expand significantly", including for network management, service delivery, resource allocation and network security.
Similar to existing guidelines: The GCOT principles broadly reflect similar guidelines on "responsible" AI adoption (such the OECD's AI Principles and Sunak Government's AI Principles). Some GCOT principles cross over with the binding EU AI Act, such as transparency, explainability and human oversight. For more information, see our Global AI Regulation Guide here.
Non-binding: Telcos won't be bound by the GCOT principles, but should aim to follow them to ensure safe, secure and trustworthy AI adoption. The principles are also an indicator of where future binding standards or regulation might land, so it pays to be on the front-foot of compliance.
Authors: Amanda Ludlow, Partner; William Barrow, Senior Associate; Saba Nasrolahi, Junior Associate
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Readers should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.