The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is set to take place in New Delhi from October 14 to 24, 2024. This event marks the first time in ITU history that the assembly is being held in the Asia-Pacific region. Over 3,000 leaders and technology experts from more than 190 countries will gather to discuss and shape the future of technology standards in various fields, including 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, cybersecurity, M2M communications, and quantum technologies.
AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon
As part of WTSA, the second phase of the AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon has commenced, organized in collaboration with the ITU and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. This phase started on the same day as the WTSA, offering a platform for participants to showcase their innovative ideas.
Hackathon Details
- Duration: Two-day in-person coding competition at Bharat Mandapam.
- Participants: 12 shortlisted teams (7 Indian and 5 international).
- Focus: Development of AI and machine learning (AI/ML) solutions for next-generation 5G and 6G networks.
Support and Mentorship
The hackathon is supported by a panel of experts, including:
- 12 Indian and 2 international mentors.
- Guidance from an ITU Programme Officer.
Previous Phase
The first phase took place from August 7 to September 30, 2024. Key highlights include:
- Launched by the Secretary of the Department of Telecom.
- Online challenges focused on integrating AI/ML into 5G/6G infrastructures.
- Five mentoring sessions and a special outreach program session on September 26, 2024.
Problem Statements
The hackathon focuses on two main problem statements:
- AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Develop your own AI/ML model for 5G/6G.
- AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Build your own xApp for autonomous 5G/6G networks.
Participant Projects
Participants are tackling real-world challenges such as:
- Smart city transit solutions.
- Flood monitoring systems.
- Traffic optimization and women’s safety initiatives, including “AuratRaksha.”
- Sim Fraud Protection and network reliability.
Notable Use Cases
The hackathon features diverse projects including:
- Next Gen: Smart city public transportation system.
- Vajra IITB: Flood monitoring and alerting system.
- BLAZE-IITJ: 5G-enabled drone scheduling framework.
- IIITA ECE: Waste management system.
- Tech Rangers: Initiative to reduce barriers for African contributors to 6G standards.
- HexaCore: Women’s safety platform for real-time alerts.
- Neural Nomads: AI-driven solutions for small-scale farmers in Africa.
Encouragement from Officials
Ms. Madhu Arora, Member (Technology) of the Digital Communication Commission, emphasized the importance of the hackathon in fostering innovation and the potential impact of participants’ solutions on global telecommunications.
WTSA 2024 Significance
The WTSA 2024 is crucial for advancing 5G and 6G technologies and reflects India’s growing importance in the global technology landscape. This quadrennial event serves as the governing conference of the ITU Standardisation Sector (ITU-T) and plays a vital role in setting global telecommunication standards.
Attendance and Focus Areas
- Delegates: More than 3,000 from 150+ countries, including 1,000 foreign delegates and 50 global ministers.
- Focus: Bridging the digital divide through universal connectivity, with emphasis on 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, and cybersecurity.
Preceding Events
The WTSA will be preceded by the Global Standards Symposium (GSS) on October 14, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, focusing on policy debates regarding ICT standardization.
Accompanying Initiatives
WTSA 2024 will also feature:
- ITU Kaleidoscope conference.
- ITU exhibitions.
- Network of Women and AI for Good initiatives.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- When and where will the WTSA 2024 be held?
- A) October 14-24, 2024, in Tokyo
- B) October 14-24, 2024, in New Delhi
- C) November 14-24, 2024, in Singapore
- D) October 14-24, 2024, in Beijing
- Answer: B) October 14-24, 2024, in New Delhi
- What is the main focus of the AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon?
- A) Developing AI solutions for healthcare
- B) Creating AI/ML solutions for next-generation networks
- C) Improving mobile gaming experiences
- D) Enhancing cybersecurity measures
- Answer: B) Creating AI/ML solutions for next-generation networks
- How many teams are participating in the second phase of the hackathon?
- A) 5
- B) 10
- C) 12
- D) 15
- Answer: C) 12
- Which of the following is NOT a problem statement in the hackathon?
- A) Build Your Own AI/ML Model for 5G/6G
- B) Develop a Mobile Game for 6G
- C) Build Your Own xApp for Autonomous 5G/6G
- D) Create AI/ML pipelines leveraging ITU recommendations
- Answer: B) Develop a Mobile Game for 6G
- What is the prize for the top three teams in the hackathon?
- A) $1,000, $500, $300
- B) $1,000, $700, $500
- C) $1,500, $1,000, $500
- D) $1,000, $1,000, $1,000
- Answer: B) $1,000, $700, $500