CALL FOR PAPERS

Kaleidoscope 2026: AI and frontier technologies for Good is the sixteenth edition of ITU’s flagship peer-reviewed academic conference, bringing together leading voices from universities, industry, and research institutions worldwide. The conference provides a unique platform to exchange ideas, establish collaboration, share cutting-edge research, and propose practical solutions that make frontier technologies more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/academia/kaleidoscope/2026/Pages/default.aspx

Kaleidoscope 2026 welcomes contributions that delve into cutting-edge research for these transformative technologies in the area of telecommunications. In particular, how Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies and others still in the research phase can facilitate the management and operation of networks. These include network optimization, cell site development and enhanced cybersecurity. Another important goal is to investigate how these new technologies can help achieve the goal of sustainable development.

---𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀---

Suggested (non-exclusive) list of topics

◕Track 1: Frontier technological bases in intelligent and resilient network infrastructures
•The role of machine learning to artificial intelligence in network architecture, design, operation and maintenance, for example
-The role of AI/ML in existing and future communication networks and network infrastructures (6G and beyond)
-Improved tools for network orchestration and traffic management
•Large Language Models (LLM), Small Language Models (SLM) and Learning Models in telecommunications, for chip design and cloud computing and research at the interface of ML and quantum computing.
•New system architectures for extended reality (XR), digital twin earth, metaverse, and immersive Live Experience (ILE)
•Quantum information technologies for hybrid architectures and secure network protocols
•Design and implementation technologies for hybrid architectures and scalable quantum networks
•Transition strategies and integration of quantum-safe technologies (i.e, post -quantum cryptography and quantum key distributions) into existing networks
•Neuromorphic computing and new chip designs

◕Track 2: Applications and services for sustainable development
•Planning and introduction of radiocommunication networks (protocol design, verification, implementation, conformance testing, etc)
•Network modelling, optimization, management, monitoring and maintenance (QoS, QoE, network and user security)
•Cybersecurity of network and users, privacy protection, and trust establishment in decentralized and distributed systems
•Smart transportation autonomous driving and urban mobility
•Embodied AI applications including healthcare (telemedicine, rehabilitation, assistive robotics, and assistance for the aging)
•Geospatial foundation models applications, design and development
•Location-based services and spatial registration technologies
•Sustainable smart cities and communities
•Applications of quantum technologies
•Sustainable online education, rural access and the role of AI in learning

◕Track 3: Social, economic, environmental and policy dimensions of AI and frontier technologies
•AI regulations, governance and ethical considerations
•Policy frameworks for safe and ethical AI development
•Ethical frameworks for responsible quantum and AI development
•Standards and regulations for sustainable development
•Intellectual property rights in the AI era
•Waste management, healthcare, environmental protection
•Societal implications of brain-computer interfaces and neurotechnology
•Leveraging AI and quantum technologies to advance research
•Quantum education: curriculum development, tools, and access

--- 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ---
Kaleidoscope 2026 welcomes submissions of original research papers using the template available on the conference’s website. All papers, full and short types, will go through a double-blind peer review process. Selected full papers will be presented in plenary, while selected short papers will be presented in poster sessions.

Submissions must be made electronically via EDAS: see https://edas.info/N34394 for more details. Paper proposals will be evaluated according to content, originality, clarity, relevance to the conference’s theme and, in particular, significance to future standards and policy.

--- Paper types ---
Full paper (6-8 pages)
Short paper (2-4 pages)


---𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀---
Submission of full paper proposals: 15 December 2025
Notification of paper acceptance: 16 March 2026
Submission of camera-ready accepted papers: 13 April 2026