Collaboration is the engine of innovation, and no one understands this better than Priya Kurien, the client strategy and innovation leader of global industries at IBM. Working closely with C-suite executives worldwide, Kurien leverages IBM’s technological capabilities—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—to unlock growth and innovation across industries. From transforming telecom to shaping the future of healthcare and environmental sciences, her expertise illuminates the possibilities of cross-sector partnerships.

The Power of Cross-Industry Collaboration in Telecom

The telecom industry sits at the crossroads of connectivity and technological transformation. Kurien’s journey began during a pivotal era in telecommunications, when the industry transitioned from analog landlines to digital broadband, setting the stage for today’s fiber-optic networks and 5G capabilities.

Kurien notes that telecom is uniquely positioned to serve as the backbone for cross-industry collaborations. By bridging gaps between diverse sectors, telecom can create transformative solutions that drive customer value. For example, partnerships with geospatial intelligence organizations can enhance climate science, enabling the development of early warning systems for natural disasters and real-time climate monitoring. With telecom operators providing data from extensive IoT and sensor networks, such collaborations can improve societal resilience to climate challenges.

Accelerating Climate Science Through Technology

A prime example of transformative collaboration is IBM’s partnership with NASA. Together, they developed the largest geospatial AI foundation model on Hugging Face, based on NASA’s satellite data. This model, IBM’s watsonx.ai geospatial foundation model, represents a breakthrough in open-source innovation. It allows users to tackle critical climate issues, such as deforestation, crop yield predictions, and greenhouse gas detection.

By combining NASA’s satellite imagery with IBM’s AI expertise, the model has demonstrated a 15% improvement in performance over traditional techniques, all while using half the labeled data. This initiative highlights how cross-industry collaboration can accelerate scientific discovery and provide actionable solutions to global challenges.

IoT’s Transformative Role in Consumer Experiences

The Internet of Things (IoT) has reshaped consumer experiences, and telecom operators are at the forefront of this revolution. From smart home systems to connected cars, IoT devices are ubiquitous, even if consumers don’t always recognize them as such. Operators not only sell IoT devices but also provide services to manage them, tailoring plans to consumers’ specific data and connectivity needs.

Kurien points out that the connected car is one of the most sophisticated IoT devices in use today. Telecom’s role in enabling these technologies underscores its importance as a facilitator of global progress, blending technical infrastructure with customer-centric solutions.

Overcoming Challenges in Telecom Partnerships

Partnerships require more than technology—they demand a culture of collaboration and mutual understanding. Kurien identifies key challenges such as breaking down silos, aligning goals, and fostering open communication. Overcoming these barriers involves clear roles, shared objectives, and robust governance frameworks.

Kurien also emphasizes the importance of cultural alignment, citing Henry Ford’s timeless quote: “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.” This ethos is essential for building sustainable partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.

Multi-Industry Partnerships Driving Change

The success of multi-industry partnerships is evident in projects like Verizon’s collaboration with automotive manufacturers to provide in-car Wi-Fi or BT and Skyfarer’s use of drones for medical deliveries. These examples demonstrate how telecom can extend its reach beyond traditional boundaries, creating solutions that address real-world problems and enhance customer experiences.

Such partnerships showcase the potential for telecom to not only connect industries but also drive innovation in sectors as diverse as healthcare, automotive, and logistics.

AI’s Role in Unlocking Innovation and Efficiency

AI is a transformative force in telecom, enabling personalized customer experiences, streamlined operations, and enhanced decision-making. Kurien explains how AI is revolutionizing customer care through automation and personalization, while also supporting enterprise clients by optimizing connectivity deployment and monitoring.

The integration of AI into telecom’s core operations accelerates productivity, reduces downtime, and fosters agility. For example, generative AI is being used to assist customer service agents, summarize interactions, and even directly engage with customers, highlighting its versatility and impact.

Addressing Risks in Cross-Industry Collaborations

While the benefits of cross-industry collaboration are immense, so are the risks. Regulatory compliance, cultural mismatches, and data security are common challenges. Kurien advises companies to establish clear frameworks, define roles and responsibilities, and adopt secure API designs to mitigate these risks. Transparency and communication are vital for maintaining trust and ensuring the success of collaborative initiatives.

APIs: The Bridge to Industry Integration

Application programming interfaces (APIs) are essential for integrating telecom capabilities with diverse industries. APIs enable modular, scalable solutions, allowing companies to rapidly deploy new services. According to IDC, the telecom API market is projected to grow from $700 million in 2023 to $6.7 billion by 2028, driven by the need for platform-based commerce and innovative digital services.

In 2024, leading telecom operators announced a global venture to combine and monetize network APIs, setting a new standard for cross-industry collaboration and value creation.

5G and the Future of Enterprise Partnerships

5G networks are unlocking unprecedented opportunities for collaboration. From autonomous vehicles to smart manufacturing, private 5G networks enable enterprises to harness advanced technologies. Examples like the Port of Tyne’s 5G-driven operations and Mercedes-Benz’s automated production lines demonstrate how telecom partnerships can drive efficiency, reduce risks, and create new revenue streams.

These applications illustrate how 5G serves as a foundation for innovation, fostering transformative partnerships across industries.

Balancing Innovation and Stability

Telecom companies must strike a balance between innovation and the stability of their infrastructure. Kurien advocates for a “security by design” approach, embedding security measures into processes while fostering a culture of innovation. By leveraging zero-trust architectures, cross-functional teams, and customer feedback, telecom firms can deliver cutting-edge solutions without compromising reliability.

The Road Ahead: Trends Shaping Telecom Partnerships

Looking ahead, Kurien identifies several trends shaping the future of telecom partnerships. These include the continued rollout of 5G, expansion of private networks, edge computing for real-time applications, and self-healing networks powered by AI. Each trend underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability in driving global connectivity.

Telecom’s ability to bridge industries, foster resilience, and deliver customer-centric solutions positions it as a catalyst for transformative change. By embracing cross-industry partnerships and leveraging emerging technologies, telecom firms can redefine what’s possible, ensuring a more connected and innovative future.