Culture shock — building the workforce for autonomous operations

As networks become autonomous and software-defined, the biggest disruption is no longer technical, it’s cultural. In this session, join us as we explore how operator organizations are restructuring, reskilling, and redefining roles as they move toward low-touch and dark NOC operations, and what workforce leaders, architects, and operators must do differently to make autonomy sustainable. 

Moderator: Shuvo Saha, VP of Education, TM Forum 

14:15 - 14:25
A revolution in roles and skills 

• What will change in workforce requirements - now, and in the future?  
• How is the new 'AN Upskilling Hub' initiative helping to prepare the industry for this change? 

Shuvo Saha, VP of Education, TM Forum 

14:25 - 14:50 
Lessons from the front line: What really changes when networks go autonomous

• Reducing dependency on deep siloed expertise without losing control or resilience 
• Lessons from restructuring inside a CSP organization - what worked, what didn’t 
• Pinpointing unintended consequences of separating (or merging) CIO, CTO, and network functions 
• How simplifying and standardizing network platforms changes workforce requirements 
• What this means for long-term staffing levels, organisational design and skills investment 

Shuvo Saha, VP of Education, TM Forum in conversation with:  
Aayush Bhatnagar, Chief Technology Development Officer, Jio Platforms 
Howard Watson, former Chief Security and Networks Officer, BT 

14:50 - 15:15 
Group conversations: From structure to skills: Rethinking the workforce for an autonomous network future 
In this interactive discussion, participants work through the talent challenges created by autonomous operations — skills roadmaps, certifications, organizational change, and closer alignment between IT and network teams. Drawing on the perspectives shared earlier and the AN Upskilling Hub launch, tables explore what must change over the next 12–24 months to make autonomy sustainable, scalable, and people‑ready. 
Each group will capture one insight + one action to share back to the room. 
Led by Shuvo Saha, VP of Education, TM Forum, and the AN Upskilling Hub Team: 
Jon Coleman, Director of Product Management, TM Forum 
Gordon Rawling, Head of Global Marketing for Network Management, Cognitive Network Services, BSS & OSS, Ericsson  
Luqman Shantal, CEO, Makman Consulting  
David Hutton, Senior Director Industry Partnership Development, Huawei 

15:15 
Closing remarks

Timings are provisional only and may be subject to change.