In this episode of Carrier 2.0, host Steve Saunders reframes artificial intelligence not as a product or application, but as a full-stack systems problem spanning power, cooling, water, networking, operations, security, governance, and strategy.
Drawing on interviews with operators, utilities, and technology leaders, the episode explores how AI is stress-testing telecom networks, electrical grids, and operational models — and why the real challenge lies beneath the model layer. From EPB Chattanooga’s grid modernization and community impact, to Orange’s layered AI architecture, the discussion shows why infrastructure, data, and automation must come before intelligence.
The episode argues that AI will not be won by the carriers with the biggest models, but by those that understand physical limits, design resilient systems, and turn AI infrastructure into a platform for secure, low-latency, trusted services.
The Category Error — Holism vs Hype (00:00)
Why AI isn’t software, but a systems problem that exposes infrastructure limits.
AI Isn’t Magic, It’s Load (01:05)
How hyperscaler narratives hide the reality of power, cooling, networking, and operational constraints.
Infrastructure Reality: Chattanooga (02:15)
How EPB integrates fiber, grid automation, AI optimization, and quantum research — delivering 55% outage reduction and $5.3B in community benefits.
Where AI Breaks: Deterministic vs Probabilistic Systems (03:40)
Why hallucinations are catastrophic in industrial, telecom, and critical infrastructure environments.
Without Networking, There Is No AI (04:45)
Why secure, high-performance networking is foundational to all AI scalability.
“Just Scale It” Is a Trap (05:30)
Why hyperscaler scaling logic fails in a world of finite power, water, and capital.
The Carrier Stack: Infrastructure → Data → Automation → AI (06:45)
Orange’s framework for building production-grade, carrier-grade AI systems.
Engineering for Uncertainty (08:10)
Why operators must overbuild and design for unpredictable AI-driven demand.
Data Hygiene & Narrow Use Cases (09:25)
Why real-world AI success starts with cleaning data, standardisation, and focused execution.
The Monetization Inflection (11:00)
How carriers can transform AI infrastructure into differentiated platforms.
The Carrier 2.0 AI Playbook (12:30)
Designing for physical limits, operational reality, business outcomes, and trust.
If AI is fundamentally a systems problem, how should carriers redefine their role in the AI economy?
For this episode, it’s the carrier’s ability to transform networking, security, latency, and infrastructure resilience into monetisable AI platforms, turning connectivity into the foundation of trusted AI services.
