Provided are methods and apparatuses for identifying a transport network slice in a data plane of a transport network by a network device. In an embodiment, the method includes generating a transport slice identifier corresponding to the transport network slice. The method further includes transmitting a configuration message requesting rendering of a transport network path assigned to the transport network slice. The method further includes obtaining a prediction, using an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) model, of at least one required configuration of the transport network slice, based at least on historical information related to the transport network slice. The method further includes applying the at least one required configuration to the transport network slice.