Agentic AI in 6G Software Businesses: A Layered Maturity Model

2025-08-05

AI Summary

Deploying agentic AI systems in 6G software services faces significant barriers—including immature technologies, complex system integration, insufficient organizational readiness, and imbalanced performance-cost trade-offs. Method: This study proposes the first agent-first software capability maturity assessment framework, innovatively integrating the CMMI model with a three-dimensional software architecture perspective (data, business logic, presentation). Through systematic multi-source literature review and thematic mapping analysis, we identify and synthesize 29 enablers and 27 inhibitors into five high-level thematic categories. Contribution/Results: The framework enables structured, quantifiable evaluation of organizational readiness for intelligent transformation. It undergoes preliminary feasibility validation, establishing both theoretical foundations and methodological groundwork for subsequent empirical studies and practical implementation guidelines.

Technology Category

• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Agent Architectures
• Multiagent Systems: Agent/AI Theories and Architectures
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Model-Based Reasoning

Application Category

• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Agentic search
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Applied ML and AI for Web-based mobile applications
• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions

Abstract

The emergence of agentic AI systems in 6G software businesses presents both strategic opportunities and significant challenges. While such systems promise increased autonomy, scalability, and intelligent decision-making across distributed environments, their adoption raises concerns regarding technical immaturity, integration complexity, organizational readiness, and performance-cost trade-offs. In this study, we conducted a preliminary thematic mapping to identify factors influencing the adoption of agentic software within the context of 6G. Drawing on a multivocal literature review and targeted scanning, we identified 29 motivators and 27 demotivators, which were further categorized into five high-level themes in each group. This thematic mapping offers a structured overview of the enabling and inhibiting forces shaping organizational readiness for agentic transformation. Positioned as a feasibility assessment, the study represents an early phase of a broader research initiative aimed at developing and validating a layered maturity model grounded in CMMI model with the software architectural three dimensions possibly Data, Business Logic, and Presentation. Ultimately, this work seeks to provide a practical framework to help software-driven organizations assess, structure, and advance their agent-first capabilities in alignment with the demands of 6G.

Problem

• Identify factors influencing agentic AI adoption in 6G
• Assess organizational readiness for agentic transformation challenges
• Develop a maturity model for agent-first capabilities in 6G

Innovation

• Layered maturity model based on CMMI
• Thematic mapping of motivators and demotivators
• Software architectural three dimensions framework