Why is automation essential for 5G and why is it hard?

There is a wide range of specific objectives, requirements and technology transformations ushered in by 5G that are particularly hard to deliver and manage without automation. In this presentation we seek those specific areas of 5G that most depend on automation underpinned by AI and ML. With reference to areas that are today being delivered with the help of these technologies, we identify the challenges that we will face on the path to delivering a fully-automated next-generation network.