A 2026 Vision: The Network Becomes the AI Platform

Live from the GNE MainStage, Mplify CTO, Pascal Menezes outlines his vision for 2026 where AI reshapes networks into a secure, automated, and programmable foundation of the digital economy. He explores what AI readiness means for networks, from connectivity as the glue for AI to agent-driven automation, AI-ready cybersecurity, and how sovereign AI will redefine infrastructure and new revenue models. Listen in for a clear-eyed view of what’s next for NaaS and AI.

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In this Executives at the Edge episode, Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more:

Why is network connectivity becoming the foundational layer for AI at scale?
How are AI agents changing the way networks must be automated and programmed?
What role do standardized payloads and AI-friendly interfaces play in enabling AI-driven services?
How must cybersecurity and zero-trust models evolve to protect AI workloads and agents?
Why is post-quantum security becoming critical for future networks?

Learn More

Get Mplify’s market brief, NaaS for Agentic AI.
Watch Pascal’s GNE CTO Keynote, NaaS State of the Industry.
Explore how NaaS is shaping AI-ready, automated networks through on-demand connectivity and assurance.

About Our Guest

Pascal Menezes, Chief Technology Officer, Mplify

At Mplify, Pascal leads the company’s strategic vision across cutting-edge domains including Network-as-a-Service (NaaS), Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), SD-WAN, service assurance, and API-driven interoperability. His work is central to advancing industry alignment around standards, automation, and certification—powering the next wave of digital transformation for cloud, edge, and carrier-scale networks.

Prior to Mplify, Pascal served as a Principal at Microsoft, where he spent nearly a decade focused on real-time media, intelligent networks, and cloud communications. His career includes leadership roles across five startups, multiple successful exits, and over 30 issued and pending patents.

Pascal is the recipient of more than five global industry awards for innovation, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to networking, communications, and service orchestration. He has also co-authored major standards at the IETF, Broadband Forum, and Mplify.

A frequent keynote speaker and respected thought leader, Pascal hosts the influential Executives at the Edge podcast where he interviews top minds shaping the future of cloud and network services.

Pascal brings a rare combination of technical depth, entrepreneurial insight, and visionary leadership—making him a powerful voice at the intersection of innovation, execution, and industry transformation.

Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.

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