The evolution of future networks beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G is expected to rely heavily on network slicing
to meet the diverse requirements of applications in public and private B5G networks. Radio access
network (RAN) slicing plays a critical role in achieving end-to-end network slicing, especially for ultrareliable low-latency communications (URLLC) required by applications such as autonomous vehicles or
augmented reality in public networks and emergency management systems and controlled air mobility
facilitated by private B5G networks. However, slicing the RAN poses challenges due to its dynamic
nature and the stringent requirements of URLLC services. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine
learning (ML) techniques, including deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithms, offer interesting
solutions for efficient network resource management. In this talk, we will provide an overview of some
promising directions for using AI for RAN slicing in an open radio access network, as well as an
exploration of current challenges and open questions.
Prof. Soumaya Cherkaoui is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer and
Software Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, Canada. Her research interests are
in wireless networks. Particularly, she works on Machine learning-empowered nextgeneration networks (B5G/6G), distributed edge intelligence, and communication
networks for verticals such as connected and autonomous vehicles, IoT, and Industrial
IoT. She leads a research group that conducts research funded both by the
government and industry. Before joining academia as a professor in 1999, she worked
for the industry as a project leader on projects targeted at the Aerospace Industry.
Cherkaoui has held invited positions at leading institutions, including the University
of California at Berkeley. Bell Laboratories, Monash University, and the University of
Toronto, as well as an adjunct position at Lulea University in Sweden. Pr. Cherkaoui
avails of a long research experience in wireless networking. Her work resulted in
technology transfer to companies and to patented technology. She has delivered
several keynote addresses and invited talks in the area. Pr. Cherkaoui has published
over 200 research papers in reputed journals and conferences. She has been a guest
editor and a member of the editorial board of several IEEE, Wiley, and Elsevier
Journals, including IEEE JSAC, IEEE Network, IEEE Systems, and Computer
Networks. Her work was awarded with recognitions and best paper awards, including
the best paper award at the IEEE Communications Society Flagship Conference IEEE
ICC in 2017. She has chaired prestigious conferences such as IEEE LCN 2019 and has
served as a symposium co-chair for flagship conferences, including IEEE ICC 2018,
IEEE Globecom 2018, IEEE Globecom 2015, IEEE ICC 2014, and IEEE PIMRC
2011. She was also Chair of the IEEE Communications Society Technical Committee
on IoT-Ad hoc and Sensor Networks in 2020-2021. She is a Professional Engineer and
an IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer.
