Google has started applying its artificial intelligence (AI) expertise to network operations and expects to make its tools available to companies building virtual networks on its global cloud platform. That could be a troubling sign for network technology vendors such as Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC), Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK), which now see AI in the network environment as a potential differentiator and growth opportunity. The Internet giant has been using AI to improve its search engine and enhance other consumer-facing products and services. In 2014, it acquired a UK-based AI startup called DeepMind, which subsequently made headlines when it was taught to play Go, a Chinese boardgame of fiendish complexity, and managed to beat Lee Sedol, one of the world's best players. Drawing heavily on its capabilities in machine learning, a branch of AI, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) is now developing more automated systems to cope with the growing scale of its global network, which comprises data centers and backbone infrastructure.