Description

The IEEE Communications Society Student Branch Chapter of the IEEE Student Branch University of Ruhuna successfully organized a webinar titled “5G to 6G” on 4th March 2026 via Zoom from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. The session focused on the topic “Towards Intelligent Networks: O-RAN Architecture and AI-Driven Security in Beyond-5G/6G Systems.” The webinar explored how the evolution of mobile communication networks is transforming next-generation systems into intelligent, programmable, and autonomous platforms. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture, including software-driven control, AI-native functionalities, and the role of xApps and rApps in enhancing network flexibility and performance. The session also highlighted the emerging security challenges in Beyond-5G and 6G systems. Discussions covered AI-driven threat detection, defence mechanisms, real-time security constraints, trust in AI models, data availability, and the balance between automation and network reliability. Through these insights, participants gained a broader understanding of the future direction of communication technologies and intelligent network systems. The webinar was conducted by Charuka Moremada , a doctoral researcher at NetsLab, UCD School of Computer Science. He shared valuable academic and research-based knowledge related to O-RAN and AI-driven security technologies while providing practical insights into current industry and research trends. The session was successfully conducted with the enthusiastic participation of students who actively engaged throughout the webinar. Participants raised many insightful questions during the interactive discussion session, and the speaker highly appreciated their curiosity and interest in the field of next-generation communication networks and security.