Now Reading: Airtel Deploys On-Device AI for 30,000 Field Engineers
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Airtel Deploys On-Device AI for 30,000 Field Engineers
Bharti Airtel says nearly 30,000 field engineers are using an in-house small language model on regular handsets. ETTelecom reports that the system processes images on the device rather than in the cloud,…
The Story in Brief
Bharti Airtel says nearly 30,000 field engineers are using an in-house small language model on regular handsets. ETTelecom reports that the system processes images on the device rather than in the cloud, helping standardise installations, fault repairs and safety checks. Airtel executive vice-chairman Gopal Vittal said this shift could cut cloud workload costs by Rs 30-45 crore.
The company is also expanding Airtel Cloud, adding 11 customers during the quarter to reach 33. Vittal said Airtel’s data-centre market share is about 12% and reiterated plans to build 1 GW of capacity over the next few years.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that AI must rely on expensive cloud infrastructure are too broad, while claims that every automation will transform productivity are equally casual. On-device processing can reduce costs and improve privacy, but its value depends on field accuracy, safety and the quality of human oversight. Airtel should publish error rates, repair outcomes and the basis for its Rs 30-45 crore estimate. Those figures will show whether this is durable efficiency or a quarterly projection.
Source: telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
