Episode 96: Autonomous Networks: Getting to Level 5 in the AI Era

Karina Dahlke sits down with Gabriele Di Piazza and Erik McLaughlin to explore what it really takes to reach “level five” autonomous networking. They break down what autonomous networks mean in practice – self-configuring, self-healing, self-optimizing, and ultimately zero-touch operations – and why the conversation has accelerated again in the last few years with the rise of AI. From cost pressure and growing network complexity to the foundational need for real-time observability, this episode offers a clear view into the technology, data, and governance required to make autonomous networks achievable at scale. Network experts and engineers at Ciena and Blue Planet bring deep network control plus cross-domain orchestration and intelligence, giving customers the visibility, context, and automation needed to accelerate the journey to level 5 autonomy.