With the topic of “Agentic AI and AI for Networking”, the 6th SIG-AI for NRENs meeting in Madrid this week showcased several community experiences on practical initiatives. The results showed the community is ready to move from experimentation to operation in different areas using AI.
Hosted by RedIRIS in Madrid’s AZCA district, the meeting showcased a great diversity of presentations, which are now available on the SIG-AI Wiki page. The meeting focused on several key areas:
- Agentic AI and AIOps: Exploring how multi-agent architectures can assist specialised workflows for network automation and troubleshooting.
- AI Systems and tools: the utility of LLM-based systems and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) to build assistants to support NRENs processes and services.
- AI community engagement, guidance and capacity building: Explaining how NRENs are engaging with AI through new services, infrastructures and activities, the importance of AI guidelines to help the community and how our community is scaling technical expertise through innovative models like the GÉANT Network eAcademy and its “metro map” approach.
The meeting with 73 registered participants (in person and remote), brought together experts from Cybersecurity, Network Automation, and Emerging Technologies, debating critical questions: is AI becoming a commodity? And what are the emerging trends that will define the next phase of our collaborative work?
With thanks to RedIRIS for their hospitality, the AZCA district provided an ideal environment for our technical deep dives. In the evening, the community enjoyed a journey through “Old Madrid”, including the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor.
Looking ahead, the roadmap for 2026 is already taking shape. Momentum is building toward our next key milestones:
- Side meeting at TNC26 (Helsinki): A high-impact agenda where SIG-AI meets SIG-RED (Research Engagement and Development).
- Autumn meeting at CERN: where our AI practitioners will have the opportunity to visit the experiments.
Stay connected with SIG-AI progress and access the full slide decks from the Madrid meeting in the SIG-AI wiki page: https://wiki.geant.org/x/IYBdTQ
