Keynote Speakers

Abstract: As the race to define 6G intensifies, the focus has overwhelmingly centered on maximizing efficiency—whether in cost, spectral utilization, or energy consumption. Yet, resilience and security, the cornerstone attributes for deploying 6G in mission-critical industries such as energy, defense, and healthcare, have been conspicuously absent from the design discourse. This oversight, rooted in legacy approaches to cellular communication, risks undermining 6G’s ability to meet the uncompromising demands of applications where reliability and adaptability are non-negotiable. In this keynote, I will redefine resilience in the context of next-generation wireless networks, distinguishing it from related concepts such as robustness and reliability, while highlighting how security is inherently embedded within resilience. I will explore the tension between efficiency, complexity, and resilience, revealing how the relentless pursuit of superior performance has led to overly intricate designs that inadvertently compromise the ability to withstand disruptions. By identifying the structural and systemic traits that characterize truly resilient networks, I will offer a roadmap for how 6G design must evolve to integrate resilience as a foundational principle. Finally, I will introduce practical frameworks for quantifying resilience, equipping researchers and engineers with tools to embed this critical attribute into the DNA of 6G systems. This keynote is a call to action—a rallying cry to rethink the priorities driving 6G innovation. By striking a deliberate balance between efficiency, complexity, and resilience, we can ensure that 6G not only delivers on its promise of performance but also becomes a transformative technology capable of thriving in the most demanding, high-stakes environments.

Bio:

Venkatesh “Venki” Ramaswamy is the Distinguished Chief Technologist for NextG at The MITRE Corporation in Bedford, Massachusetts, where he leads research and development in 5G/6G wireless technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and spectrum innovation. With over 22 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, he has held technical leadership roles at top technology companies, startups, and research institutions, driving advancements in next-generation connectivity and intelligent systems. Dr. Ramaswamy is an active member of the ATIS/Next G Alliance Research Council, contributing to the development of a comprehensive North American 6G strategy. He also serves as an industry researcher at the NSF Edge AI Institute, where he explores the integration of networking and AI to enable transformative applications like autonomous systems and smart infrastructure. A prolific contributor to the scientific community, Dr. Ramaswamy has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, holds numerous patents, and has delivered high-profile keynotes at major conferences. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2007 and continues to push the boundaries of wireless communication and intelligent systems.