University Researcher Secures $750,000 to Make AI Safer for Mobile Networks
Qiang Liu, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Computing, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER award to develop trustworthy AI systems for wireless networks. The $750,000 grant will fund research into making artificial intelligence more reliable for telecommunications companies hesitant to deploy it in production environments.
Major telecom operators remain skeptical of AI despite its performance benefits in testing. "Everyone's using AI, and they want to use it, and the performance looks great in the testbed, but they still don't trust it," Liu said. His research will address the core problem: algorithms that fail when networks change unexpectedly.
Three Research Goals
Liu's project targets "network autonomy"-the ability of mobile networks to manage themselves in real time using AI and machine learning. The work has three specific components:
- Building digital network twins that accurately mirror real wireless systems for testing
- Designing deep learning methods to automate resource allocation safely
- Creating explanation-guided AI frameworks so engineers understand why systems make decisions
Companies like NVIDIA and Nokia are investing heavily in AI-driven network solutions. The technology can improve throughput, latency, and efficiency-particularly valuable for large networks difficult to manage manually. Liu's work addresses the gap between promising lab results and production deployment.
Educational Expansion Beyond Campus
The grant includes funding for workforce development. Liu plans to expand Husker-Net, the university's private 5G network, into a campuswide platform for wireless networking courses and research. Students will gain hands-on experience with next-generation telecommunications technology.
Liu also plans a virtual "Hour of Code" program targeting K-12 students in rural Nebraska communities. The initiative will include a virtual reality playground replicating live demonstrations, eliminating the need for students to travel hours to attend in-person events.
"In the middle of Nebraska, they may need to drive four hours a day to attend this event and go back, so we'll try to expand and make it virtual," Liu said. The program aims to strengthen Nebraska's technology workforce by training local talent and expanding STEM access in underserved areas.
Network infrastructure gaps contribute to broader economic disparities in rural communities. Liu views expanded access as a foundation for opportunity across multiple sectors. "Once you have the network, you can do a lot of things, but if you don't have it, a lot of things cannot happen," he said.
For educators developing curriculum around AI and telecommunications, AI for Education resources and AI Research Courses offer frameworks for integrating these topics into classrooms and training programs.
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