Lumen Technologies has partnered with Google Cloud as part of plans to drive its AI transformation.
The company announced the partnership this week, a few days after it struck a similar cloud agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
The company said it has teamed up with Google Cloud to "power AIOps and proactive data insights across its network," as part of plans to drive operational efficiencies.
Lumen notes that it has used Google Cloud's infrastructure, databases, and BigQuery data and analytics platform, to build Lumen Digital Twin, which is supported by AI providing real-time insights across the Lumen network.
According to Lumen, such insights will help Lumen proactively detect and quickly resolve network issues before they reach its customers.
"We're transforming our operations top to bottom to deliver outstanding customer service and operate a more efficient business," said Dave Ward, Lumen chief technology and product officer.
"Google Cloud's expertise and AI technologies are key enablers for our company, allowing us to use our Lumen Digital Twin network technology to test new capabilities and improvements before we deploy them."
Lumen will also use Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform and Gemini models, which it states will deliver innovative applications to help Lumen avoid unnecessary technician dispatches; improve field, agent, and customer support; and enhance website search functionality. The company claims this will increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience.
"We are at a pivotal moment as gen AI drives true business transformations across industries," added Bikash Koley, VP, global networking & infrastructure, at Google Cloud. "Lumen is a trusted network for AI, and we are excited to partner with them to provide real-time insights and operational improvements and drive meaningful business outcomes for organizations worldwide."
AWS to support Lumen's cloud infrastructure modernization
Lumen also signed an agreement last week with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to bolster its data center connectivity and modernize its cloud infrastructure.
As part of the deal, Lumen will use AWS technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and security, to modernize its applications and systems.
Lumen noted that the partnership will drive innovation in its portfolio of communications, network services, security, and voice products.
The company will provide fiber connectivity to AWS data centers, helping enterprise customers build and deliver highly scalable AI applications across the cloud company's regions and local zones.
“AI is reshaping industries, and the network infrastructure supporting it needs to be just as dynamic and responsive,” said Kate Johnson, president and CEO, Lumen Technologies.
“AWS wants their customers to thrive in the AI economy and this network expansion will help enable that. As the trusted network for AI, Lumen is using next-generation fiber to help AWS deliver high-bandwidth solutions that will allow their customers to experience and deliver AI’s full potential.”
Lumen said it is transferring its IT and product platforms to AWS, which it notes will boost performance, scalability, and operational efficiency.
The company noted that this move will enable it to use generative AI technology, including Amazon Bedrock, which it claims it will help it optimize network resources.
According to the company, this will provide Lumen with full visibility of its network, both onsite and in the cloud, improving customer experience and reducing costs.
"By applying generative AI technologies like Amazon Bedrock, Lumen can transform its operations to enable faster decision-making and more autonomous, highly resilient networks," said Matt Garman, CEO of AWS.
In August, Lumen revealed that it had secured $5 billion in new business, which it claimed was primarily due to AI sales.
