The Intelligence Revolution: How the Lumen Network Powers the AI Economy

In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), a fundamental shift is underway. It’s one where the true value of AI models lies not in their size but in their ability to effectively mine and manage data. Managing data effectively can be a challenge for many companies as they navigate the modern AI landscape.

The Achilles’ Heel of AI

One of the biggest challenges: network latency. “Network latency is the Achilles’ heel of AI,” said Marco Rota, VP of Strategic Technology Partnerships at Lumen, during the Microsoft AI Tour in San Francisco. Rota delved into the challenges enterprises face with network latency, a primary bottleneck in AI deployments, and the role Lumen and partners play in alleviating pain points.

Rota isn’t alone. About 66% of organizations see improving latency as an investment priority.¹ Simply put, latency can significantly hinder the performance and efficiency of AI models. Moreover, data tends to get stuck in organizational silos. It’s trapped behind outdated infrastructure that simply wasn’t built to accommodate the speed modern AI demands. As a result, even the most advanced AI models struggle to perform effectively because they lack timely access to the necessary data.

Embracing hybrid cloud architecture

It’s a move supported by need—over the next three years, 43% of businesses plan to invest in network infrastructure.² Enter Lumen’s robust metro edge network, which is designed for sub-five millisecond latency across the U.S. This network enables effective AI inferencing and experimentation, allowing companies to test and scale AI solutions as they move from experimentation to production.

Implementing purpose-built networks, instead of retrofitting existing ones, helps overcome the frustration caused by AI lag. It also simplifies the operational requirements in embracing AI. It’s an approach designed to handle the specific demands of AI, providing fast data access, minimizing latency, and enabling experimentation through integrated security solutions. “Lumen’s edge network is not just a technological advancement; it’s part of the backbone of the AI revolution,” said Rota.

Powering AI through Strategic Partnerships

Partnerships help customers capitalize on cloud environments.  “Lumen’s metro edge network enhances connectivity and reduces latency, supporting Microsoft’s efforts to empower enterprises to unlock the full potential of AI,” said Silvia Candiani, Vice President Telco, Media and Entertainment, Gaming at Microsoft. “Together, we’re fostering innovation and efficiency across industries.”

Implementing robust edge/near-prem capacity while implementing purpose built networks, alleviates network strain and allows real-time AI applications to function smoothly.

Lumen and IBM also recently teamed up to create enterprise AI solutions at the edge. Lumen’s edge network is designed for ≤5ms latency and direct connectivity to major cloud providers and enterprise locations. When paired with IBM watsonx, the infrastructure has the potential to enable real-time AI processing, which can help mitigate costs and risks associated with public cloud dependence.

The collaboration aims to solve contemporary business challenges by turning AI potential into practical, high-impact outcomes at the edge. For enterprise businesses, this can potentially enable faster insights, lower operational costs, and a smarter path to digital innovation.

As industries move into an area increasingly dominated by AI, low latency will no longer be just an advantage but a necessity. For enterprise businesses, this means prioritizing networking infrastructures that are agile and capable of supporting real-time data processing. By embracing edge computing and leveraging strategic partnerships, businesses transcend traditional AI limitations with a smart path to digital innovation.

Power your AI with the low-latency edge network from Lumen—built to overcome data bottlenecks and unlock real-time intelligence at scale.

¹IDC, US Lumen Digital Survey, April 2024
²IDC, Modernizing the Network with Performance-Enabled Digital Infrastructure Infobrief, January 2024

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