AI is already influencing network operations, customer support, churn modeling, and capital planning, but many ISPs are still uncertain how to adopt it without introducing unnecessary risk or distraction. This session is designed for CTOs who are being asked to evaluate AI initiatives while protecting engineering focus, data integrity, and long-term architecture.

The discussion will walk through real ISP use cases and examine the tradeoffs between building in-house capabilities, purchasing vendor solutions, and partnering with third parties. Topics include data readiness, integration complexity, organizational maturity, and the hidden operational costs that often surface after pilots end. Attendees will leave with a practical decision framework they can use to guide executive conversations and determine when AI is a true competitive advantage and when it is better deferred.