OpenAI’s ChatGPT has taken the internet by storm. The artificial intelligence technology was publicly released in November 2022 and has been making headlines since then.

The AI system appears to be powerful enough to make Google issue a “Code Red” saying that “ChatGPT poses a threat” to its search business. Users can ask the bot for a myriad of activities, from simple questions like “Who was the first rock singer?” to complex tasks such as fetching data from APIs or creating Javascript code.

The AI technology is not immune to failures, though. It has already been criticized for learning from and giving racist answers, and it can provide misleading or wrong information – such as for this question 6GWorld asked:

Clearly, Pelé isn’t alive.

With all that said, 6GWorld was curious to learn what ChatGPT had to say about 6G, and how much it “knew” about the next generation of mobile connectivity. We conducted an “interview” with the AI – and the results are quite jaw-dropping considering it is, well, not a human expert.

We have edited some of the responses so that they are fluid to read. Some sentences, especially “It is difficult to predict exactly what 6G will be like” or “It is still in the early stages of development” repeat quite a lot, so we have deleted most of them for the sake of readability.

Here’s what ChatGPT has to say about 6G:

6GWorld: What is 6G?

ChatGPT: There is no official standard for 6G technology yet. It is the next generation of wireless communication technology that is being researched and developed, but it is not expected to be available for widespread use until after 2030. Some of the potential features of 6G technology include even faster data speeds, lower latency, and the ability to support a larger number of connected devices. However, it is difficult to predict exactly what 6G will be like as it is still in the early stages of development.

6GWorld: What are the biggest challenges to make 6G a reality?

ChatGPT: There are several challenges. Some of the biggest include:

1. Developing new technologies: 6G will require the development of new technologies and innovations in order to achieve its goals, such as faster data speeds and lower latency. This will require significant research and development efforts.
2. Standardisation: In order for 6G to be successful, there will need to be a standardised set of technical specifications and protocols that all manufacturers and service providers can adhere to. This process can be lengthy and complex.
3. Spectrum availability: Radio spectrum is a limited resource, and finding sufficient spectrum to support 6G networks will be a challenge.
4. Infrastructure: Building the infrastructure necessary to support 6G networks, such as base stations and other equipment, will be a major undertaking.
5. Cost: Developing and deploying 6G networks is likely to be very expensive, and it may be challenging to justify the high costs to consumers and businesses.
6. Regulation: 6G will likely be subject to a variety of regulatory and legal considerations, which could slow down its development and deployment.

6GWorld: Will 6G use the Terahertz band?

ChatGPT: It is possible that 6G technology could make use of the Terahertz band, which is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies between microwaves and infrared radiation. The Terahertz band has a very high frequency and a very short wavelength, which makes it well suited for high-speed communications. However, it is still too early to say for certain whether 6G will use the Terahertz band or not.

6GWorld: What about beamforming? As we go higher in frequency, could antennas become a challenge?

ChatGPT: Yes, beamforming is a technique that is expected to be used in 6G and other future generations of wireless communication technology. It involves using multiple antennas to focus a signal onto a specific area or device, rather than broadcasting it over a wide area. This can improve the range, capacity, and reliability of the signal.

Antennas could potentially be a challenge in the higher frequency bands, such as the Terahertz band, due to the shorter wavelengths. At these frequencies, antennas must be physically smaller in order to operate effectively, which can be difficult to achieve. Additionally, the materials used in antennas may need to be carefully chosen in order to support these high frequencies. However, these challenges can be overcome through the development of new antenna technologies and designs.

6GWorld: What are the new materials that could enable 6G?

ChatGPT: It is difficult to say exactly what materials will be used in 6G technology. However, some that may be used in 6G include:

1. Metamaterials: These are artificial materials that have properties that are not found in naturally occurring materials. They can be designed to have specific electromagnetic properties, such as the ability to absorb or reflect certain frequencies of radiation. This could make them useful for use in antennas and other components of 6G networks.
2. Graphene: This is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It has a number of unique properties, including extremely high electrical and thermal conductivity and the ability to absorb a wide range of frequencies. This could make it useful for use in antennas and other components of 6G networks.
3. Nanomaterials: These are materials that are extremely small, often measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter). They can have unique physical and chemical properties due to their small size, which could make them useful in the development of 6G technology.
4. Other advanced materials: There are likely to be many other advanced materials that will be developed and used in the creation of 6G networks and devices. These materials could include things like advanced plastics, ceramics, and other materials with unique electrical, thermal, or mechanical properties.

6GWorld: Let’s talk about geopolitics. Which country is leading the way in 6G development today?

ChatGPT: It is difficult to say which country is currently leading the way in 6G development. However, several countries are investing heavily in the development of 6G and other advanced wireless technologies, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and Europe. Each of these countries has its own strengths and areas of focus in terms of research and development, and it is likely that they will all play important roles in shaping the future of 6G and other advanced wireless technologies.

6GWorld: When is 6G expected to be standardised?

ChatGPT: It is likely that it will take several years for 6G to be standardised and for the first commercial networks to be deployed. Some experts estimate that 6G technology could be available for widespread use sometime after 2030, but this is just an estimate and could change based on a variety of factors.

6GWorld: What are the 6G most expected use cases?

ChatGPT: Some potential use cases for 6G technology include:

1. Enhanced mobile broadband: 6G could potentially offer even faster data speeds and lower latency than previous generations of wireless technology, making it well suited for applications such as streaming high-definition video, online gaming, and other data-intensive activities.
2. Internet of Things (IoT): 6G could potentially support a larger number of connected devices than previous generations of wireless technology, making it well suited for use in IoT applications.
3. Autonomous vehicles: 6G could potentially provide the high-speed, low-latency connectivity needed to support the development of fully autonomous vehicles.
4. Virtual and augmented reality: 6G could potentially offer the high-speed, low-latency connectivity needed to support the development of immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences.
5. Smart cities: 6G could potentially support the development of smart cities, which use advanced technologies to improve the quality of life for citizens and to make cities more efficient and sustainable.

These are just a few examples of the potential use cases for 6G technology, and it is likely that many other applications will emerge as the technology develops.

6GWorld: How fast will 6G be?

ChatGPT: It is expected that 6G will offer faster data speeds and lower latency than previous generations of wireless technology. Some experts predict that 6G could potentially offer data speeds of up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps), which is much faster than the speeds currently offered by 5G networks. However, it is important to note that these are just estimates and the actual speed of 6G networks could be different once the technology is fully developed and deployed.

6GWorld: What will the role of AI be in 6G?

ChatGPT: Artificial intelligence is expected to play a significant role in the development and deployment of 6G technology. Some of the ways in which AI could be used in 6G include:

1. Network optimisation: AI could be used to optimise the performance of 6G networks by analysing data on network usage and making adjustments to optimise capacity and coverage.
2. Predictive maintenance: AI could be used to predict when equipment in a 6G network is likely to fail, allowing for proactive maintenance to be scheduled before a failure occurs.
3. Traffic management: AI could be used to manage the flow of data through a 6G network, routing traffic to the most efficient path and helping to reduce congestion.
4. Security: AI could be used to detect and prevent security threats in a 6G network, such as cyberattacks or unauthorised access.
5. Customer service: AI could be used to provide automated customer service, such as answering common questions or troubleshooting problems, freeing up human customer service representatives to handle more complex issues.
6. Device management: AI could be used to manage the performance and operation of devices connected to a 6G network, optimising their performance and extending their battery life.

These are just a few examples of how AI could be used in 6G, and it is likely that other applications will emerge as the technology develops.

6GWorld: Will 6G help to evolve cybersecurity?

ChatGPT: It is expected that 6G will include advanced security features to help protect against cybersecurity threats, like:

1. Encryption: 6G is likely to use advanced encryption techniques to protect data as it is transmitted over the network. This could make it more difficult for hackers to intercept and read sensitive information.
2. Network segmentation: 6G could potentially use network segmentation to isolate different parts of the network from each other, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access to sensitive areas of the network.
3. Machine learning: AI and machine learning could be used to analyse data on network activity and identify unusual patterns that could indicate a cybersecurity threat. This could help to detect and prevent attacks in real-time.
4. Advanced authentication: 6G could potentially use advanced authentication techniques, such as biometric authentication, to ensure that only authorized users are able to access the network.
5. Hardware-level security: 6G devices and equipment could potentially include hardware-level security measures, such as secure chips or hardware firewalls, to help protect against cyberattacks.

Overall, 6G is expected to include a variety of advanced security features that will help to improve cybersecurity and protect against threats.