AI Forecast to Drive 44% of Global Network Traffic by 2035

Artificial intelligence could account for 44% of global network traffic by 2035, according to Nokia’s latest Global Network Traffic Report. The forecast predicts that total worldwide traffic will nearly quadruple from 2026 levels, reaching approximately 3,789 exabytes per month.

The growth is expected to be driven by increasing adoption of generative AI, autonomous AI agents and connected machines, including robots and vehicles. Agentic AI traffic is projected to grow 160 times by 2035, while traffic from physical AI applications is expected to increase 105 times.

The shift will place new demands on telecommunications infrastructure. Unlike traditional internet usage, which is largely download-focused, AI applications will require greater upload capacity and faster response times. Nokia estimates that more than 90% of traffic generated by physical AI applications will travel through network uplinks by 2035.

The report also predicts that 36% of AI-native traffic will be served by edge and metro core infrastructure, as more processing moves closer to users and connected devices. Meanwhile, fixed wireless access is expected to account for more than one-third of consumer cellular traffic.

The findings highlight how AI adoption could reshape network requirements over the next decade, increasing the need for investment in capacity, low-latency connectivity and distributed infrastructure.