AI and 5G: Separating Hype from Reality

Technology buzz often creates two narratives: one that promises miracles and another that under‑delivers. In the case of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G, both narratives exist. By dissecting what is currently achievable and what is still in development, we can better understand how these technologies can genuinely benefit businesses today.

Freelance technology writer Bob Emmerson explains that the way AI and 5G are marketed online tends to obscure the practical value of the technologies that are actually available. He argues that understanding the realistic capabilities of today’s solutions will help organizations transition smoothly when the full promise of these technologies comes to fruition.

Narrow vs. General AI

Artificial Intelligence is a term that has evolved, often used interchangeably with data‑mining or automation. For clarity, we define AI as the practice of enabling computers to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. This broad definition can be divided into two categories:

Narrow AI (sometimes called weak AI) excels at specific, well‑defined tasks—such as image classification, natural language processing, or predictive analytics—often outperforming humans in speed and accuracy. These systems operate 24/7, automating repetitive aspects of work so that people can focus on higher‑value activities. For example, an AI model trained on thousands of dermatology images can detect skin cancer more quickly than an average clinician, yet it does not possess an understanding of the disease beyond pattern recognition.

General AI (or strong AI) envisions machines that can reason, learn, plan, and even exhibit creativity—essentially replicating the breadth of human cognitive abilities. Achieving true general AI would likely require advances in consciousness and self‑awareness, which remain speculative and may be far from commercial viability.

5G NR vs. 5G NSA

Similarly, 5G technology is often described in two main configurations:

5G NR (New Radio)—also known as Standalone 5G—introduces a completely new radio and core network architecture. It promises three core services: massive machine‑type communications (mMTC), ultra‑reliable low‑latency communications (URLLC), and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB). Operators are currently prioritizing eMBB to meet consumer demand for high‑definition video and gaming, but the broader suite of services will take several years to mature.

5G NSA (Non‑Standalone) leverages existing LTE infrastructure while adding 5G base stations and dynamic spectrum sharing. This hybrid approach delivers higher bandwidth and improved reliability with lower deployment costs and faster rollout times. By enabling devices to connect simultaneously to LTE and 5G, NSA effectively doubles data throughput without waiting for full network replacement.

In practice, 5G NSA offers immediate, tangible benefits for many operators and end‑users, yet it often receives less attention than the more futuristic Standalone version—mirroring the under‑reported nature of Narrow AI.

The author is freelance technology writer, Bob Emmerson.