One lucrative new market that can be accessed through more innovative use of software is Industrial IoT (IIoT). For example, Statista recently found discrete manufacturing, transportation/ logistics, and utilities industries are projected to spend $40 billion each on IoT platforms, systems, and services by 2020. There are many software technologies that promise to revolutionize networks, including network slicing, ONAP and software-based architecture. However, it is that AI offers a transformative opportunity through its ability to industrialise large scale pattern recognition and automate complex processes. AI-augmented core and Radio Access Networks (RANs), for example, are set to offer carriers an unprecedented level of control and flexibility to develop higher performance services, providing a clear route to access mission critical applications such as IIoT, automotive and healthcare.