Korea Telecom (KT) has announced a breakthrough in next-generation mobile communication with the successful development of semantic communication, a technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to understand and transmit the meaning of data.
Semantic communication functions much like a human conversation, where people often grasp the core message without catching every word. By allowing AI to interpret the context and meaning of exchanged data, the system transmits only the essential information. This marks a major departure from conventional communication systems, which rely on transmitting all raw data regardless of its significance.
KT emphasized that 6G networks will require AI to be deeply integrated into the communication infrastructure. The company said that semantic communication serves as a key enabler for this shift, forming the backbone of an AI-native network that can support advanced applications like autonomous driving, remote-controlled robotics, and holographic communication.
The companies are working together to create new semantic transmission algorithms, test full communication systems, including wireless segments, and help shape international 6G standards.
“Bell Labs is at the forefront of semantic communication research, and through cooperation with KT, we can validate use cases and move closer to commercialization,” said Peter Vetter, President of Bell Labs Core Research.
“Semantic communication is an innovative technology that will redefine the very role of networks by fusing AI and communications,” said Lee Jong-sik, Executive Vice President and Head of KT’s Future Network Research Institute.
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