Zeljka Lemaster
Head of the AI Innovation and Incubation US, at Ericsson
Adapting AI Agents for Telecom Networks: From Intent-Driven Management to Autonomous Operations
What happens when telecom networks stop waiting for instructions and start making decisions on their own?
Agentic AI introduces a new operating model where AI agents can perceive, reason, collaborate, and take actions with minimal human intervention. But autonomy in telecom requires more than intelligence; it requires trust, governance, interoperability, and domain expertise.
This keynote explores how the industry can bridge that gap and unlock a future where networks not only respond to change, but anticipate it, learn from it, and optimize themselves continuously. The biggest transformation may not be technological at all: humans shift from operating networks to defining intent, while trusted agents drive execution.
Zeljka Lemaster is the Head of the AI Innovation and Incubation US, at Ericsson. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Prior to joining Ericsson, Zeljka held number leadership roles across Silicon Valley startups and mid-sized technology companies, where she led multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, software engineers, and product developers focused on building data-driven enterprise solutions powered by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics.
At Ericsson, Zeljka leads strategic initiatives focused on applying emerging AI technologies to telecom networks and operations. Her most recent work spans the development of Autonomous Network solutions that leverage Telecom Foundation Models, domain-specific knowledge, and multi-agent AI systems to accelerate innovation across Ericsson’s portfolio and deliver measurable value to communication service providers. Zeljka also leads AI ecosystem engagement efforts across North America and Silicon Valley, collaborating with technology leaders, startups, hyperscalers, research institutions, and open-source communities.