Episode 96: Autonomous Networks: Getting to Level 5 in the AI Era
From Ciena Network Insights by Ciena Networks
May 7, 2026 · 21 min
About this episode
The episode explores the requirements and implications of achieving level five autonomous networking in the context of AI advancements.
Karina Dahlke sits down with Gabriele Di Piazza and Erik McLaughlin to explore what it really takes to reach “level five” autonomous networking. They break down what autonomous networks mean in practice – self-configuring, self-healing, self-optimizing, and ultimately zero-touch operations – and why the conversation has accelerated again in the last few years with the rise of AI. From cost pressure and growing network complexity to the foundational need for real-time observability, this episode offers a clear view into the technology, data, and governance required to make autonomous networks achievable at scale. Network experts and engineers at Ciena and Blue Planet bring deep network control plus cross-domain orchestration and intelligence, giving customers the visibility, context, and automation needed to accelerate the journey to level 5 autonomy.
People in this episode
Host: Karina Dahlke
Guests: Gabriele Di Piazza, Erik McLaughlin
Topics covered
- autonomous networks
- AI
- network complexity
- real-time observability
- zero-touch operations
Keywords
- autonomous networking
- AI
- self-configuring
- self-healing
- self-optimizing
- zero-touch operations
- network control
- cross-domain orchestration
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ciena, Blue Planet
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- Episode 94: Submarine Cables in the AI and Cloud Era · March 6, 2026 · 24 min
- Episode 93: Blue Planet Customer Conversation Highlights · February 10, 2026 · 16 min
- Episode 92: Powering Global Connectivity: The Future of Research Networks with CANARIE and REANNZ · January 29, 2026 · 27 min
- Episode 91: Verizon’s AI strategy to power next-gen AI demands · November 6, 2025 · 20 min
- Episode 90: Telstra International Introduces an Autonomous Network Future · October 10, 2025 · 21 min
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