Nokia has strengthened its edge AI and hybrid inference capabilities through a strategic collaboration with Blaize, targeting the deployment of practical, production-ready AI systems across Asia Pacific markets.
Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding between Blaize and Nokia Solutions and Networks Singapore, the two companies will jointly explore, develop and deploy hybrid AI inference solutions designed for real-world operational environments. The collaboration brings together Nokia’s expertise in networking, automation and cloud infrastructure with Blaize’s programmable, energy-efficient AI inference platform.
The partnership is focused on enabling so-called “real world AI” that can operate reliably at the edge and across hybrid environments where latency, power efficiency and operational resilience are critical. Both companies say the next phase of AI adoption will be driven by inference at scale rather than model training alone.
As part of the collaboration, Nokia and Blaize plan to work on edge and hybrid AI inference use cases, integrating Blaize’s hybrid AI platform with Nokia’s IP networking, data centre networking and automation technologies. The companies will also develop reference architectures and solution blueprints positioning Blaize as a complementary inference layer alongside Nokia’s AI networking infrastructure.
Joint validation of AI inference deployments is planned across telecom, industrial and smart infrastructure environments, supported by go-to-market initiatives including customer workshops, pilot programs and solution demonstrations focused on production-ready AI.
Blaize chief executive officer and co-founder Dinakar Munagala said the collaboration represents an important step toward delivering practical and physical AI at scale. He said the hybrid approach enables organisations to deploy inference where it delivers the greatest operational value, while integrating seamlessly with cloud and GPU-based infrastructure.
Nokia will contribute its capabilities in IP networking, industrial connectivity, intelligent network operations and cloud infrastructure. Blaize will provide its AI inference hardware and software platform, designed to complement GPU systems by enabling scalable, low-power inference closer to where data is generated and decisions are executed.
Sang Xulei, senior vice president and head of network infrastructure for Asia Pacific at Nokia, said demand is increasing for AI systems that can operate reliably in real-world conditions. He said Blaize’s inference platform provides the flexibility to extend hybrid AI architectures across networks, edge systems and cloud environments, supporting scalable and operationally efficient AI deployments.
The non-binding MOU establishes a cooperative framework under which the companies may pursue specific projects through future agreements. The collaboration will focus on secure, scalable and energy-efficient AI inference deployments that integrate into existing network, cloud and industrial environments across the Asia Pacific region.
