W10 – Edge Intelligence meets AI-Native RAN: Theory, Algorithm and Implementation

Co-organizer: Chenyuan Feng, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Co-organizer: Zihan Chen, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
Co-organizer: Xijun Wang, Sun Yat-sen University, China
Co-organizer: Jihong Park, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore

Abstract: The AI-RAN Workshop aims to bring together leading researchers, engineers, and industry practitioners to explore emerging advancements in Open, Programmable, and AI-Native Radio Access Networks (RANs). As wireless systems evolve toward 6G, RAN architectures are undergoing a paradigm shift from traditional, tightly coupled designs to open and disaggregated frameworks powered by standardized interfaces, software programmability, and pervasive AI/ML intelligence. This workshop provides a timely platform to address the key challenges and opportunities that arise in designing, optimizing, and deploying intelligent RAN systems across edge and cloud infrastructures.

The event will highlight innovations in AI-driven control, semantic- and intent-based network automation, programmable PHY/MAC, edge intelligence, and sustainable RAN design, as well as critical issues including multi-vendor interoperability, real-time orchestration, scalability, and security. A central focus is bridging theory and practice by showcasing real-world prototypes, open-source testbeds, and industrial implementations of AI-native RAN solutions.

The half-day workshop will feature three keynote talks, ten peer-reviewed paper presentations, a panel discussion, and potential invited contributions from top experts in wireless networks, distributed AI, and O-RAN ecosystems. Participants from academia, industry, and research labs will engage in interactive discussions, demonstrations, and networking activities aimed at accelerating innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

By fostering deep dialogue across theoretical foundations, system design, and practical deployment experiences, the workshop seeks to shape the future of intelligent RANs and advance the development of next-generation wireless networks.

Co-organizer’s Bios:

Chenyuan Feng:

Chenyuan Feng received the Ph.D. degree in Information Systems Technology and Design from the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, in 2021. She was a Research Fellow at EURECOM, France, and is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, U.K. Her research interests include edge AI and AI for communications and network. She received 4 IEEE/ACM Best Paper Awards. She serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE INTERNET OF THINGS JOURNAL, and IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF THE COMMUNI-CATIONS SOCIETY, and as a Track Chair, Workshop Chair, Symposium Chair, Publication Chair, Dissemination Chair, and TPC Member at several IEEE international conferences. Dr. Feng has delivered several keynotes, tutorials, and invited talks at IEEE conferences, and also organized 5 workshops and symposium relevant to edge computing and AI for communication in conferences. She is recognized as a 6G Star Young Scientist and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Scholar. She is a recipient of China’s Overseas Young Talents Program and will soon be joining Sun Yat-sen University as a professor.

Zihan Chen:

Zihan Chen received his Ph.D. degree from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)-National University of Singapore (NUS) Joint Ph.D. Program in 2022. Currently, he is a research fellow at SUTD. His research mainly focuses on federated learning and network intelligence. He has organized 6 workshops relevant to AI/ML for wireless networks in international conference such as IEEE/ACM AAAI and ICML.

Xijun Wang:

Xijun Wang received his Ph.D. degree from Tsinghua University and is currently an Associate Professor at Sun Yat-sen University. He has published more than 180 papers in top international journals and conferences. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Huawei Excellent Technical Collaboration Project Award (2023), the Best Paper Award at IEEE ICCC’13, the Best Paper Award at FCN’24, and the 10th Anniversary Best Conference Paper Award at ICCCS. He has led and participated in multiple research projects, and as a key member in major projects such as the NSFC Key Program and the Ministry of Science and Technology Key R&D Program. He has also served in several important conference organization roles, including Publicity Chair of IEEE ICCC’13, Co-chair of the Wireless Communications Symposium at IEEE ICCC’16, Co-chair of Tutorials at IEEE ICCC’22, and Finance Chair of IEEE ISIT’26.

Jihong Park:

Jihong Park serves as the Deputy Director for the Future Communications Research and Development Programme (FCP) in Singapore. Prior to joining SUTD, he was a Lecturer at Deakin University, Australia (2020-2024). Dr. Park received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, in 2009 and 2016, respectively. He was a Post-Doctoral Researcher at Aalborg University, Denmark (2016-2017), and at the University of Oulu, Finland (2018-2019). His recent research interests focus on AI-native semantic communication and distributed machine learning for 6G. Dr. Park has frequently organized and served as a Technical Program Committee (TPC) Member for over 80 conferences and workshops, including co-chairing the 2023 IEEE GLOBECOM Symposium on Machine Learning for Communications and the 2025 ICML Workshop on Machine Learning for Wireless Communication and Networks. He has received several prestigious awards, including the 2023 IEEE Communication Society Heinrich Hertz Award and the 2022 FL-IJCAI Best Paper Award. Currently, Dr. Park is an Editor of IEEE Transactions on Communications, a Member of IEEE Signal Processing Society Machine Learning for Signal Processing Technical Committee (MLSP TC), a Senior Member of IEEE, and has been named in Stanford’s list of the World’s Top 2% Scientists.

Paper submission deadline Extended: 8 February 2026
Acceptance notification: 18 March 2026
Final paper submission deadline Extended: 7 April 2026

Submission requirements: 5-page paper (without overlength charge) and up to 2 additional pages are allowed with the purchase of additional page charges in the amount of $100 USD per additional page at the time of registration and final paper submission.

Paper submission can be located here: https://vtc2026s-rr-wks.trackchair.com/