Method and apparatus for handling artificial intelligence/machine learning functionality or feature (re)configuration in a telecommunications network

1 . A network node, comprising:

processor circuitry configured to generate at least a first message that is related to implementation of an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Functionality for a wireless terminal served by the network node; and

interface circuitry configured to transmit the first message over a radio interface to the wireless terminal, and to receive at least a second message over the radio interface from the wireless terminal, the second message indicating at least a potential delay associated with the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality at the wireless terminal, wherein:

the potential delay comprises one of a delay in updating a first AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML functionality, a delay in downloading a second AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML functionality, or switching between different AI/ML models used for the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality, and

the processor circuitry is further configured to, in response to receiving the second message, generate a third message that indicates how to handle the potential delay by controlling an activation, deactivation, enablement, or disablement of the AI/ML Functionality.

2 . The network node of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuitry is further configured to determine, based on the second message, a delay duration associated with the activation of the AI/ML Functionality and to include a timer value corresponding to the delay duration in the third message.

3 . A method performed by a wireless terminal that communicates over a radio interface with a radio access network, the method comprising:

receiving, over the radio interface from the radio access network, at least a first message that is related to implementation of an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Functionality for the wireless terminal;

determining at least a potential delay associated with the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality at the wireless terminal;

determining whether or not to generate at least a second message configured to notify the radio access network of the potential delay; and

determining whether or not to transmit the second message to the radio access network over the radio interface in a case that the second message is determined to be generated, wherein:

the potential delay comprises one of a delay in updating a first AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML functionality, a delay in downloading a second AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML functionality, or switching between different AI/ML models used for the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality, and

the method further comprises, in response to transmitting the second message, generating a third message that indicates how to handle the potential delay by controlling an activation, deactivation, enablement, or disablement of the AI/ML Functionality.

4 . A wireless terminal that communicates over a radio interface with a radio access network, the wireless terminal comprising:

receiver circuitry configured to receive, over the radio interface from the radio access network, at least a first message that is related to implementation of an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Functionality for the wireless terminal; and

processor circuitry configured to determine at least a potential delay associated with the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality at the wireless terminal, wherein:

the potential delay comprises one of a delay in updating a first AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML functionality, a delay in downloading a second AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML functionality, or switching between different AI/ML models used for the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality, and

the processor circuitry is further configured to, in response to generating a second message indicating the potential delay, generate a third message that indicates how to handle the potential delay by controlling an activation, deactivation, enablement, or disablement of the AI/ML Functionality.

5 . The wireless terminal of claim 4 , wherein the processor circuitry is further configured to:

determine at least an approximate magnitude of the potential delay; and

include the approximate magnitude in the third message.

6 . The wireless terminal of claim 4 , wherein the processor circuitry is further configured to;

generate a delay cause message which comprises an indication of a cause of the potential delay; and

include the delay cause message in the third message.

7 . The wireless terminal of claim 4 , wherein the first message received over the radio interface comprises an indication of a configuration or reconfiguration of the AI/ML Functionality.

8 . The wireless terminal of claim 4 , wherein the processor circuitry is further configured to, after receiving first message, and before generating the third message, switch to a readily available AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality.

9 . The wireless terminal of claim 4 , wherein the processor circuitry is further configured to, after receiving the first message, and before receiving the third message, apply a reconfiguration for the AI/ML Functionality to a last version of an AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality, and thereafter, to update the AI/ML model.

10 . The wireless terminal of claim 4 , wherein the processor circuitry is further configured to, after receiving the first message, and before receiving the third message, update an AI/ML model used for the implementation of the AI/ML Functionality, and thereafter, to apply a reconfiguration of the first message to the updated AI/ML model.

11 . The wireless terminal of claim 7 , wherein the processor circuitry is further configured to:

set a timer according to a timer value, and

determine whether the configuration or reconfiguration of the AI/ML Functionality for the wireless terminal is completed before an expiration of the timer.

12 . The wireless terminal of claim 11 , wherein, when the processor circuitry determines that the configuration or reconfiguration of the AI/ML Functionality in the wireless terminal is not completed before the timer expires, the processor circuitry is further configured to:

maintain an existing configuration for the AI/ML Functionality,

fall back to a legacy operation, or

receive, from the radio access network, another configuration or reconfiguration of the AI/ML Functionality and implement the other configuration or reconfiguration of the AI/ML Functionality.

13 . The wireless terminal of claim 11 , wherein the receiver circuitry is further configured to:

receive, over the radio interface from the radio access network, a timer message comprising the timer value,

set the timer according to the timer value, and

determine whether the configuration or reconfiguration of the AI/ML Functionality for the wireless terminal is completed before the expiration of the timer.

14 . The wireless terminal of claim 4 , wherein the first message comprises configuration information and/or an activation indication for a new AI/ML Functionality for the wireless terminal.

15 . The wireless terminal of claim 11 , wherein the timer value is received from a network node or is determined by the wireless terminal.