Fulbright Finland News Magazine
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed the world in just a few short years, while mobile networks have become the backbone of modern society over the past two decades, evolving from simple voice calls to instantly streaming high-definition videos. AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence for Radio Access Networks), sits at the intersection of these two revolutions, aiming to make tomorrow’s mobile networks more intelligent, adaptive, and efficient. Simply put, it’s about building the social infrastructure for the upcoming AI era.
Northeastern University’s (NU) Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things (WIoT) in Boston is a global leader in AI-RAN research and a founding member of the AI-RAN Alliance, a consortium of top technology companies and academic institutions dedicated to advancing mobile network performance through AI. With its world-class research infrastructure and vibrant ecosystem, NU’s WIoT has established itself as the leading U.S. university in AI-RAN research.
Launched in 2018 at the University of Oulu, the 6G Flagship program envisioned AI as a core component of next-generation mobile networks. As the research manager for AI-RAN at 6GFlagship, I was fortunate to receive a Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration, which enabled me to spend two weeks at WIoT which was an incredible experience that deepened my understanding and broadened opportunities for future collaboration.
It was an opportunity to share not only Finland’s values and its research and innovation culture, but also to reflect the richness that diversity brings to international collaboration.
Beyond the technical aspects, this trip reinforced the value of face-to-face interactions. Quick hallway conversations, spontaneous lab visits, and informal coffee talks foster trust and momentum that virtual meetings rarely capture. I have already invited my Boston colleagues to visit Oulu, and our teams will soon meet at an upcoming in-person AI-RAN Alliance meeting in Helsinki.
On a personal note, representing Finland abroad, while offering a unique perspective through Sri Lankan eyes was a true privilege. It was an opportunity to share not only Finland’s values and its research and innovation culture, but also to reflect the richness that diversity brings to international collaboration. I had many memorable conversations where curiosity, respect, and mutual inspiration transcended borders. Each time I mentioned being a Fulbright Finland grant recipient, it carried an extra weight, a recognition that the Fulbright program is more than just a research opportunity. It’s a symbol of global connection and shared purpose.
I return home with not only fresh scientific insights but also a renewed belief in the power of shared understanding, cultural exchange, and global collaboration.
Dileepa Marasinghe
AI-RAN Research Manager, University of Oulu
2025 Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration, Northeastern University
Read the whole Fulbright Finland News 1/2025!
