AI as a Service: Exposing the Functionalities of AI-Native 6G Networks

The transition to AI-native 6G networks embeds artificial intelligence (AI) across all network functions, enabling automation, efficiency, and advanced services. The AI-native approach is more than just a technical enhancement; it is a fundamental shift that drives the evolution toward autonomous networks, unlocking new advancements in network capabilities and user experience. A key enabler is AI as a Service (AIaaS), which allows Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to expose AI capabilities via standardized APIs. Built on Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), AIaaS streamlines AI model lifecycle management, reducing complexity for developers and optimizing AI-driven workflows.This paper investigates the integration of AIaaS into network exposure frameworks such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Network Exposure Function (NEF), Service Enabler Architecture Layer (SEAL), and the opensource CAMARA interface emphasizing the interacting and collaborating robots (cobots) use case in the context of industrial automation. We discuss how AIaaS enables CSPs to offer AI-powered services with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS), driving innovation across industries and shaping the future of AI-native 6G networks.