Eighth SG13 Regional Workshop on “Standardization and Future Networks: Opportunities for Africa Beyond 2020”

Virtual, 1 June 2021

ITU Focus Group on Autonomous Networks (FG-AN)

Opportunities for Africa

Mr. Leon Wong, Chairman of ITU-T FG AN

Topics

• FG-AN: overview

• What is Autonomous Networks

• The 3 core concepts

• Ongoing works

• Invitation/Collaboration

FG-AN: An Overview• ITU-T Focus Group on Autonomous Networks was

established by ITU-T Study Group 13 at its virtual meeting, 17 December 2020.

• The Focus Group will draft technical reports and specifications for autonomous networks, including exploratory evolution in future networks, real-time responsive experimentation, dynamic adaptation to future environments, technologies, and use cases.

• The Focus Group will also identify relevant gaps in the standardization of autonomous networks.

The primary objective of the Focus Group is to provide an open platform to perform pre-standards activities related to AN.

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Some perspectives: Not Just Automation

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Some perspectives: Not Just Automation

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Some perspectives: planes can’t reach moon

“You will not reach the moon by trying to flight your plane higher…”

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Core Concepts: fancy words

Dynamic Adaptation

Evolutionary Exploration

Real-time Responsive

Experimentation

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Core Concepts: simple words

Dynamic Adaptation

Evolutionary Exploration

Real-time Responsive

Experimentation

Validate LogicMake Logic

Apply Logic

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Exploitation vs ExplorationWhen is the right time to try something new?

Convergence ProblemHow can we make the right choices in a reasonable

time?

State spaceHow to reduce the number of possible choices?

AutoML-Zero: Evolving Code that Learns

“Codify-able process of creativity.”

Parameters of a module

Choice of module

Topology of a controller

Analysis_1

Analysis_2

http://www.1001freedownloads.com/free-vector/lynny-icons-full

Exploratory Evolution: Making Logic

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Digital TwinHow to experiment without breaking the real network?

Simulation & Canary TestingHow to balance simulation and Canary testing ?

“Humans test their ideas… …so should machines.”

How to recreate an effective environment per use case automatically ?

Trust & ValidationGuarantee controllers are

fit for purpose

<a href="http://www.freepik.com">Designed by brgfx / a>Freepik</a> "Designed by brgfx / Freepik" a href="http://www.freepik.com">Designed by macrovector / Freepik</a>

Real-Time Responsive Experimentation: Validating Logic

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Future Use CasesFuture TechnologiesFuture Environment

ModularisationComposition

Specificationlanguage

Controller

Network

http://www.1001freedownloads.com/free-vector/lynny-icons-full

Dynamic Adaptation: Applying Logic

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FGAN-I-026: Concepts to Architecture

Dynamic Adaptation

Evolutionary Exploration

Real-time Responsive

Experimentation

Validate LogicMake Logic

Apply Logic

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Validate LogicMake Logic

Apply Logic

FGAN-I-067: Concepts to Architecture

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FGAN-I-072: TOSCA Model

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FGAN-I-078: Evolutionary algorithms, and how they could be applied to achieve adaptation in control system

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FGAN-I-020: Building a Digital Twin using Graph Neural Networks

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FGAN-I-061: Trust in Autonomous Networks

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FGAN-I-060: Use Cases for Autonomous NetworksFGAN-I-082: Additional use cases for editing and discussion

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•Code for ITU Build-a-thon, along with FG AN, •Win prizes! •ITU will provide mentoring for students.•Use open source tools and partner tools from companies, webinars, round-tables from experts.

Invitation to Students and professionals from Africa Region

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•Successful collaboration with FUT, Minna, Nigeria – Prof. James Agajo.•Saturday night calls with students: exclusive guidance for Africa region.

•Step-1: join the weekly calls•Step-2: study, study, study.•Step-3: jointly edit documents with ITU experts and write PoC code.•Step-4: write contributions, presentations.

Invitation to Students and professionals from Africa Region

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Invitation to Students and professionals from Africa Region

https://www.itu.int/en/itunews/Documents/2020/2020-05/2020_ITUNews05-en.pdf

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You are welcome to attend FG-AN Meetings

Registration link at the FG webite:https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/focusgroups/an/Pages/default.aspx

3rd Virtual meeting15-17 June 202112:00 – 16:30 (CET) on each of the three days