Khalifa University and industry partners open RFGPT to telecom operators, unlocking artificial intelligence for wireless networks

A groundbreaking radio frequency foundation model developed at Khalifa University's Digital Future Institute is now available for evaluation by global telecommunications operators, marking a significant step in bringing AI-driven insights to network management and spectrum analysis.

The wireless landscape grows more intricate by the month. Network operators face mounting complexity in radio access network optimisation, spectrum management and the detection of signal interference. Into this challenge steps RFGPT, a radio frequency foundation model that transforms the technical rigour of wireless signal analysis into conversational, accessible intelligence.

Developed by Khalifa University’s Digital Future Institute, RFGPT combines advanced understanding of wireless signals with natural-language interaction, allowing users to ask direct questions about observed signals, identify their characteristics and interpret scenes containing multiple signals simultaneously. The model thereby translates dense technical data into faster, more intuitive insights for those who need them most.

The collaboration between Khalifa University, the GSMA and AMD represents a confluence of research excellence, industry ecosystem reach and computational capability. Khalifa University brings its expertise in artificial intelligence and wireless communications. The GSMA contributes its connection to the global mobile industry. AMD provides the advanced computing infrastructure on which RFGPT operates. Together, they are opening the model to telecom operators for evaluation during the MWC Doha 2026 event this month, granting access via API on AMD compute.

The potential applications span the full breadth of network operations. Radio access network optimisation, network planning, spectrum management and interference analysis all stand to benefit from RFGPT’s ability to synthesise complex wireless environments into actionable understanding. For operators seeking to navigate the increasingly sophisticated demands of modern telecommunications infrastructure, the model offers a new lens through which to see their networks.

Professor Merouane Debbah, Senior Director of the Digital Future Institute at Khalifa University, emphasises the initiative’s broader significance. Radio frequency foundation models represent a paradigm shift in how the wireless environment is interpreted, he notes, combining signal understanding with natural-language reasoning. The goal is to give operators a practical opportunity to explore this approach and to shape RFGPT’s development around the real challenges they encounter. This commitment reflects Khalifa University’s wider endeavour to advance AI-driven communications technologies and to accelerate the adoption of research innovations that address the authentic needs of mobile network operators.

Louis Powell, Director of AI Technologies at the GSMA, underscores the value of structured evaluation. Operators need concrete opportunities to test emerging AI capabilities against real use cases, he explains. This collaboration provides a focused evaluation window, supported by API access on AMD compute, with feedback that will help determine where RFGPT delivers genuine value and what further development is required.

As networks grow ever more complex, Philip Guido, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at AMD, observes, operators require new methods for understanding their radio environments and making informed decisions. The collaboration grants operators access to RFGPT on AMD compute, enabling them to evaluate how artificial intelligence could simplify radio frequency analysis and support more effective network planning, spectrum management and interference mitigation.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This initiative positions Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University at the forefront of telecommunications research innovation, reinforcing the emirate’s role as a global hub for advanced technology development. The collaboration demonstrates how Abu Dhabi’s research institutions are driving solutions to challenges faced by the world’s telecommunications operators, elevating the emirate’s profile in the digital economy and attracting international partnerships with leading technology companies.

The project embodies the kind of applied research that accelerates the adoption of innovation in real-world industries. As telecom operators worldwide evaluate RFGPT, they are simultaneously engaging with Abu Dhabi-developed technology and with Khalifa University’s research capabilities, strengthening the emirate’s position in the global telecommunications and artificial intelligence landscape. This work also reinforces Khalifa University’s trajectory as a research powerhouse, building on recent achievements in genomic research partnerships and its expanding role in global innovation initiatives.

Source: WAM