6G will merge human, physical and digital realms — that matters

In an article co-authored with Peter Vetter, President of Nokia Bell Labs Core Research, Theodore S. “Ted” Rappaport, David Lee/Ernst Weber Professor of Electrical Engineering and founding director of NYU WIRELESS, argues that 6G technology, expected by 2030, promises to revolutionize society with AI-native networks that are 10 times faster than 5G while using 50% less energy. The technology will enable digital-physical fusion through advanced applications in healthcare, autonomous transportation, and smart cities. While offering improved performance and sustainability, 6G faces challenges in privacy, security, and energy efficiency. Its success will require cross-industry collaboration to shape a transformative but responsible technological future.