# On End-to-End Intelligent Automation of 6G Networks
## 2 6G: Preliminaries and Enabling Technologies
### Enabling Technologies
#### 2.2.4 Other Integrated Technologies  
In addition to the aforementioned technologies, other novel technologies will be integrated into 6G networks to help successfully realize the vision and goals of such networks. This includes technologies such as edge AI and blockchain technologies. These technologies will be pivotal in ensuring that 6G networks are intelligent and secure. * Edge AI: With the plethora of data and computing resources becoming available, the AI and ML paradigms have gained traction in recent years [58]. In particular, deep learning methods are being increasingly adopted and deployed for various applications, ranging from speech recognition to computer vision, among others. Additionally, there is increased interest in integrating AI and ML (such as deep learning techniques) into the wireless communication field, particularly to help manage and allocate the wireless resources in 6G networks [59]. This is mainly due to the network heterogeneity of the networks and the extremely large data volume expected in 6G. Thus, to achieve autonomous network management and control, AI techniques need to be deployed both in a centralized and distributed manner to enable both local and collective network intelligence. As such, AI deployed at the edge (commonly referred to as \"edge AI\") using paradigms such as deep learning and federated learning will be a key enabler in 6G networks by autonomously sustaining high KPIs and managing the network's resources and functions. * Blockchain technology: Another promising technology that has been garnering interest and being increasingly deployed is blockchain technology. Blockchain is one example of what is known as \"Distributed Ledger Technology\" (DLT) [60]. The concept was first introduced by [PERSON] and [PERSON] in 1991 as a mechanism to provide a time-stamp to a digital document [60]. In this mechanism, blocks (which can be thought of as a list of data structures) are connected and securing using cryptography [60]. As a result, this guarantees the distribution of the information in a decentralized manner to avoid any potential tampering. Hence, blockchain promises to provide decentralization, immutability, and transparency [60]. Due to its characteristics, blockchain is being proposed as a key enabler for 6G networks to ensure their security and privacy [61]. More specifically, blockchain can offer intelligent resource management, elevated security features (such as privacy, authentication and access control, integrity, availability, and accountability), and scalability [61]. * Cloud-native deployments: In addition to the aforementioned integrated technologies, cloud-native deployments are essential pillars for 6G networks. As per VMware's definition, _\"Cloud native is an approach to building and running applications that exploits the advantages of the cloud computing delivery model [62]\"_. This spans a multitude of technologies and tools, including network function virtualization (NFV). NFV will continue to play a pivotal role in 6G networks [63; 64]. Simply put, NFV can be defined as the migration process from dedicated hardware to software-based applications/containers/dockers that can run on standard commercial-of-the-shelf servers [65]. The benefit is that it improves network flexibility and scalability, reduces development cycles, lowers capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX), and makes platforms more open [65]. Due to the characteristics of the NFV paradigm and the corresponding benefits that it offers, it has been proposed as a pillar and key enabler of a multitude of applications and services to be offered by 6G networks [66; 67; 68]. For example, various virtual network functions (VNFs) are being deployed as part of 6G network monitoring, resource management, and security modules of terrestrial and non-terrestrial 6G networks [66; 67; 68]. As such, NFV is and will continue to be an essential paradigm as part of any future 6G network deployment.