ZTE’s AI infrastructure and AI-powered terminals revealed at MWC Shanghai
ZTE Corporation unveiled a full range of AI innovations under the theme “Catalyzing Intelligent Innovation” at MWC Shanghai 2025. These innovations include AI + networks, AI applications, and AI-powered terminals. During several demonstrations, ZTE showcased its key advancements in AI phones and smart homes. Leveraging its underlying capabilities, the company is committed to providing full-stack solutions—from infrastructure to application ecosystems—for operators, enterprises, and consumers, co-creating an era of AI for all.
ZTE’s Chief Development Officer Cui Li outlined the vendor’s roadmap for building intelligent infrastructure and accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across industries during a keynote session at MWC Shanghai 2025. During her speech, Cui highlighted the growing influence of large AI models and the critical role of foundational infrastructure. “No matter how AI technology evolves in the future, the focus will remain on efficient infrastructure, optimized algorithms and practical applications,” she said. The Chinese vendor is deploying modular, prefabricated data center units and AI-based power management, which she said reduce energy use and cooling loads by more than 10%. These developments are aimed at delivering flexible, sustainable capacity to meet growing AI demands, the ZTE executive said.
ZTE is also advancing “AI-native” networks that shift from traditional architectures to heterogeneous computing platforms, with embedded AI capabilities. This, Cui said, marks a shift from AI as a support tool to autonomous agents shaping operations. Ms. Cui emphasized the role of high-quality, secure data and efficient algorithms in building more capable AI. “Data is like fertile ‘soil’. Its volume, purity and security decide how well AI as a plant can grow,” she said. “Every digital application — including AI — depends on efficient and green infrastructure,” she said.
ZTE is heavily investing in AI-native network architecture and high-efficiency computing:
- AI-native networks – ZTE is redesigning telecom infrastructure with embedded intelligence, modular data centers and AI-driven energy systems to meet escalating AI compute demands.
- Smarter models, better data – With advanced training methods and tools, ZTE is pushing the boundaries of model accuracy and real-world performance.
- Edge-to-core deployment – ZTE is integrating AI across consumer, home and industry use cases, delivering over 100 applied solutions across 18 verticals under its “AI for All” strategy.
ZTE has rolled out a full range of innovative solutions for network intelligence upgrades.
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AIR RAN solution: deeply integrating AI to fully improve energy efficiency, maintenance efficiency, and user experience, driving the transition towards value creation of 5G
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AIR Net solution: a high-level autonomous network solution that encompasses three engines to advance network operations towards “Agentic Operations”
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AI-optical campus solution: addressing network pain points in various scenarios for higher operational efficiency in cities
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HI-NET solution: a high-performance and highly intelligent transport network solution enabling “terminal-edge-network-computing” synergy with multiple groundbreaking innovations, including the industry’s first integrated sensing-communication-computing CPE, full-band OTNs, highest-density 800G intelligent switches, and the world’s leading AI-native routers
Through technological innovations in wireless and wired networks, ZTE is building an energy-efficient, wide-coverage, and intelligent network infrastructure that meets current business needs and lays the groundwork for future AI-driven applications, positioning operators as first movers in digital transformation.
In the home terminal market, ZTE AI Home establishes a family-centric vDC and employs MoE-based AI agents to deliver personalized services for each household member. Supported by an AI network, home-based computing power, AI screens, and AI companion robots, ZTE AI Home ensures a seamless and engaging experience—providing 24/7 all-around, warm-hearted care for every family member. The product highlights include:
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AI FTTR: Serving as a thoughtful life assistant, it is equipped with a household knowledge base to proactively understand and optimize daily routines for every family member.
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AI Wi-Fi 7: Featuring the industry’s first omnidirectional antenna and smart roaming solution, it ensures high-speed and stable connectivity.
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Smart display: It acts like an exclusive personal trainer, leveraging precise semantic parsing technology to tailor personalized services for users.
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AI flexible screen & cloud PC: Multi-screen interactions cater to diverse needs for home entertainment and mobile office, creating a new paradigm for smart homes.
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AI companion robot: Backed by smart emotion recognition and bionic interaction systems, the robot safeguards children’s healthy growth with emotionally intelligent connections.
ZTE will anchor its strategy on “Connectivity + Computing”. Collaborating with industry partners, the company is committed to driving industrial transformation, and achieving computing and AI for all, thereby contributing to a smarter, more connected world.
References:
ZTE reports H1-2024 revenue of RMB 62.49 billion (+2.9% YoY) and net profit of RMB 5.73 billion (+4.8% YoY)
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