As Western nations try to stave off competition from China and its own 5G network, the U.S. and the European Union are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the upcoming 6G communications technology.

Up until now, governments have always had access to communications, but now telecommunications are being treated as a critical national security resource, said Eric Plam, president of wireless data connection service SIMO Inc. You’re starting to see an arms race in telecommunications because of that.

“China is the primary faction, followed by the EU, plus the US,” he said. Other factions will certainly exist, but they understand the importance of controlling information and data flow.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. and EU issued a joint statement expressing their intent to continue working together on developing AI and 6G technologies.

Together with like-minded partners, we seek to continue advancing the principles outlined in the Declaration for the Future of the Internet (DFI). Developing our workforces with the skills to spur the next wave of economic growth is a shared commitment between the United States and the European Union.

With a pledge of $137 million (€130 million) from the EU in October to fund 27 new research, innovation, and trial projects – mainly, it will “further support and accelerate ground-breaking research in 6G technologies,” the agreement, which manifested as the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), received a significant boost.

To achieve a globally accepted 6G standard, international collaboration is crucial, according to the SNS JU.

In addition to 6G-Cloud, 6G-Twin, Oragami, 6G-Intense, and Exigence, there are several other projects to keep an eye on. Network architecture and energy consumption problems are variously the focus of the projects.