CONASENSE 2023-2027

CONASENSE 2023–2027: focus & scope

The technical priorities and areas of work that guide the CONASENSE network towards human-centric, sustainable 6G, and how they connect to the workstreams introduced in 2026.

Focus & challenges

To advance towards 6G, the CONASENSE platform adopted four main technical priorities for 2023–2027:

  • 1

    Integration of context-awareness into computational and networking systems

    6G end-user devices are carried and controlled by people. Social behaviour (for example mobility patterns and daily usage) can improve networking efficiency, including energy usage. Context is key for higher automation.

    RelatedAI-native NetworkingHuman-centricity
  • 2

    Mobility support

    6G will be a system-of-systems across terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, so advanced mobility management and estimation are essential.

    RelatedEdge-to-Cloud
  • 3

    Adaptation & learning

    Cognition via AI/ML requires interfaces from the control and data planes to a cognition plane, and must consider far-edge constraints, intermittent links and interference.

    RelatedAI-native NetworkingCybersecurity
  • 4

    Joint computation & networking

    The infrastructure must be flexible and driven by intent and context, treated and operated as a single, coherent system.

    RelatedEdge-to-CloudSustainability

Scope areas

Five areas of work, from trend-scouting to standardisation. Select an area to expand it.

International trend-scouting
  • Global perspective: track technology, markets and societal factors to surface emerging opportunities and risks.
  • Competitive intelligence: monitor R&D directions to maintain an edge for CONASENSE.
Interdisciplinary research topics
  • Collaboration: blend computer science, engineering and social sciences for holistic solutions.
  • Cross-fertilisation: exchange ideas across fields to unlock new directions and applications.
Use cases
  • Real-world applications: identify and analyse use cases to prioritise research and meet end-user needs. Use cases are now worked on top of the workstreams rather than as a stand-alone group.
  • Business models: explore revenue mechanisms that ensure economic viability.
Sustainability & requirements
  • Environmental impact: measure and reduce 6G’s footprint with sustainable designs.
  • Ethical considerations: address privacy, security and equity for responsible progress.
Standardisation
  • Interoperability: enable compatibility across systems and devices.
  • Global adoption: shared standards accelerate deployment and scale.
2026 update

From working groups to workstreams

At the 2026 brainstorming workshop, CONASENSE replaced its formally structured working groups with lighter, interest-based workstreams, steered by the CONASENSE Board. They carry the priorities above forward and are aligned with the technical domains of the EU-INDIA-6G-BRIDGE project.

Edge-to-Cloud

Distributed computing across the IoT–Edge–Cloud continuum, with a focus on energy efficiency, orchestration and interoperability.

AI-native Networking

Intelligent orchestration, zero-touch management and trustworthy, explainable AI.

Quantum

Preparedness for quantum and hybrid classical–quantum systems.

Cybersecurity

Secure edge architectures, protection of AI-driven network functions and trust frameworks.

Cross-cutting themes Sustainability & energy efficiency Human-centricity Experimentation
Contribute to the programme Register your interest in a workstream or white paper, or propose a topic of your own. The workstreams page explains how to get in touch with the CONASENSE Board.
Explore the workstreams