Ribbon Communications Hires Leader for Acumen AI Platform
The hire targets the expansion of autonomous networking tools for operators managing voice and data workflows.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in People
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Ribbon Communications has appointed Priyanka Kharat as senior vice president to lead its Acumen autonomous networking unit. This strategic hiring follows the company's 2025 launch of the Acumen platform, which utilizes AI to automate voice and data operations.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a sharper focus on accelerating adoption of the Acumen platform as Ribbon seeks to convert its investment in AI-driven network automation into broader commercial scale. Kharat is tasked with aligning the unit's product strategy with shifting market demands for autonomous network management.
Ribbon Communications reported $845 million in revenue for 2025, a slight increase from $834 million in 2024. The firm, formed in 2017 via the merger of Genband and Sonus Networks, is now tasked with scaling its Acumen unit.
The players
Priyanka Kharat
The new senior vice president at Ribbon Communications, previously serving as vice president and general manager of Skylar AI at ScienceLogic.
Ribbon Communications
A Plano-based provider of real-time communications software and networking solutions formed in 2017.
ScienceLogic
A Reston, Virginia-based technology firm focused on IT operations management and AI-driven monitoring software.
The details
The Acumen platform operates as an autonomous networking environment that integrates ready-made applications with AI agents. It provides customers with a builder tool designed to create custom networking workflows and applications, shifting the operational burden of managing complex voice and data infrastructure. Kharat, previously a vice president at ScienceLogic, brings experience from the AI-focused networking sector to manage these tools.
Timeline
2017: Ribbon Communications formed through the merger of Genband and Sonus Networks.
2024: The company reported $834 million in total revenue.
2025: The company launched the Acumen platform and reported $845 million in revenue.
- 2026-10-29
Ribbon Communications announces the hiring of Priyanka Kharat.
Market Landscape
This leadership change follows the 2025 launch of the Acumen autonomous networking platform. It marks a transition from the initial product development phase to a dedicated executive strategy focused on scaling AI-driven networking applications.
Operators currently utilizing legacy network management tools should evaluate their transition roadmap to AI-driven automation systems like Acumen. Monitoring this division's product updates will clarify whether these autonomous tools can successfully reduce operational overhead for their own voice and data workflows.
The takeaway
The move underscores the growing priority of AI-integrated network automation for infrastructure providers. Operators should track the next generation of Acumen builder tools to determine if they can simplify custom workflow development compared to existing, more manual network management configurations.
Further reading
For more on shifts in the local leadership landscape, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dallas Innovates.
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