Liaison statement
LS on ITU FG AN Build-a-thon 2023

This liaison statement informs the relevant bodies of the launch of the third
consecutive edition of ITU-T FG-AN Build-a-thon in 2023. Build-a-thon is a PoC
development activity, to build upon a key concept in FG AN, especially intended
to prove the concept practically with code, test setup and demo setup.
Build-a-thon is hosted in collaboration with ITU AI/ML 5G Challenge and is open
to anyone.

Background
ITU Focus Group on Autonomous Networks (FG-AN) was established by the ITU-T
Study Group 13 in December 2020, FG-AN approved its first technical
specification use cases for autonomous networks, [ITU-T Y.Sup71] in 2021.
Following up on the use cases for autonomous networks, FG-AN approved its
second set technical specifications on “Architecture framework for Autonomous
Networks” and “Trustworthiness evaluation for autonomous networks including
IMT-2020 and beyond” on 29 September 2022.

In addition, FG-AN is working on the PoC (Proof of Concept) deliverables. In
collaboration with ITU AI/ML in 5G Challenge which enabled participants to
connect with new partners in industry and academia — and new tools and data
resources, FG AN hosts the Build-a-thon as a problem statement, specifically
related to the key concepts studied in the use cases and architecture work of
FG-AN.

In 2022, FGAN Build-a-thon received 22 team registrations from across the
world. FG-AN provided reference code and hands-on workshops with demonstrations
from across the world helped the teams to understand and contribute much needed
practical demonstrations of the use cases. The solutions from academia,
students, researchers and industry submitted to FG AN in 2021 and 2022 were
collated in the Technical Report [FGAN-O-029] from FG AN.

Launch of Build-a-thon 2023
Recognising the importance of such PoC initiatives as an instrument for
pre-standard research and spreading awareness and attracting diverse talent to
the pool, FG AN extends the Build-a-thon to 2023. The specific problem to be
solved in 2023 is titled “Let us Chat: Generate and evolve AN use cases” and it
is described in [FGAN-I-321-R1].

Actions
We invite participation and collaboration with FG AN Build-a-thon 2023 as
mentioned above. We invite you all to register for the Build-a-thon 2023 here
https://github.com/vrra/FGAN-Build-a-thon/issues/new/choose

Conclusions
Build-a-thon was conducted successfully by ITU FG AN in collaboration with ITU
AI/ML in 5G Challenge in 2021 and 2022. The solutions from academia, students,
researchers and industry submitted to FG AN in 2021 and 2022 were collated in
the Technical Report [FGAN-O-029] from FG AN.

We call for support and participation for Build-a-thon 2023 and we invite you
all to register for the Build-a-thon 2023 here
https://github.com/vrra/FGAN-Build-a-thon/issues/new/choose If you need more
information, please visit the ITU-T FG-AN home page:
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/focusgroups/an

References:
[ITU Finale]   
https://aiforgood.itu.int/event/2022-itu-ai-ml-in-5g-grand-challenge-finale/
[ITU Challenge]
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/AI/challenge/Pages/2022-ITU-AI-ML-in-5G-Challenge-Program.aspx
[ITU Blog]     
https://aiforgood.itu.int/discovering-new-ways-to-apply-ai-ml-in-communication-networks-meet-the-winning-teams-in-the-itu-ai-ml-in-5g-challenge/
[ITU-T Y.Sup71] ITU-T Supplement 71 to ITU-T Y-3000 series Recommendations,
                “Use cases for Autonomous Networks”,
                https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Y.Sup71-202207-P/en
[FGAN-O-023]    ITU-T Technical Specification “Architecture framework for
Autonomous Networks” (29 September 2022) [FGAN-O-024]    ITU-T Technical
Specification “Trustworthiness evaluation for autonomous networks including
IMT-2020 and beyond” (29 September 2022) [FGAN-I-321-R1] ITU-T FG AN  “Proposal
for “Build-a-thon” for ITU AI/ML in 5G Challenge 2023”

Attachment:
[FGAN-O-029]    ITU-T Technical Report on “Proof of Concept activities”