AI and Connectivity Convergence Takes Centre Stage at MWC25

The telecommunications landscape is shifting rapidly as AI transforms networks, regulatory pressures mount, and competition intensifies between operators and tech firms. MWC Barcelona, once focused primarily on the telco industry, has evolved into a global summit reflecting telecoms’ expanding role in cross-sector digital transformation.

With 2025’s event having concluded, the GSMA – which organises MWC – has announced that this year’s event saw 109,000 attendees from 205 countries as industry leaders sought new revenue streams beyond connectivity.

The event began with King Felipe VI of Spain attending the opening keynote alongside industry figures including Marc Murtra of Telefónica, Sunil Mittal Bharti of Bharti Enterprises, and Vicki Brady of Telstra.

GSMA leadership transition and AI dominate mainstage discussions

The event marked the final MWC Barcelona for outgoing GSMA Director General Mats Granryd, who will be succeeded by Vivek Badrinath effective 1 April 2025. 

"I've attended every MWC since the early days and, with this being my last as Director General, I am incredibly proud of how it has evolved," says Mats. "The industry is embarking on a new era, and I'm profoundly grateful to have played a small role."

Artificial intelligence featured prominently throughout the event. During a keynote session, Sachin Dev Duggal, Founder and Chief Wizard of Builder.ai, a software development platform, described AI as "the ability to put a cape on every human to make them a superhuman. And I think that's the real power... but at the moment, it's a very little cape on a very big human."

The technology's geopolitical implications were discussed in sessions addressing European competitiveness and global AI development. Arthur Mensch of French AI company Mistral AI called for greater European ambition but also pragmatism when reducing the continent's reliance on US technology. He highlighted that telecommunications companies could "invest in data centres and become hyperscalers," suggesting an emerging market opportunity.

Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang predicted that 80% of personal computers will incorporate AI capabilities within the next three years, while Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, demonstrated the company's humanoid robot 'Digit' on stage, noting that "safety is the number one challenge right now for humanoid robotics."

Security concerns and technology demonstrations attract industry attention

Security emerged as a critical focus area, with the GSMA SEC CON session revealing that scammers have stolen US$1.03tn globally over the past 12 months. Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of Global Anti Scam Alliance, warned that “Everybody, in a moment of weakness, can get scammed,” while Toby Evans, Head of Economic Crime at APN, emphasised that “The impact on victims, business and the global economy cannot be understated.”

The exhibition showcased practical applications of emerging technologies. IBM offered visitors interactive AI-enhanced table football and ping pong experiences at its stand in Hall 2, while Ericsson demonstrated how augmented reality glasses could transform commuting experiences.

Xiaomi received recognition for its 15 Ultra smartphone, which won the GLOMO Award for "Best in Show." The device features a Leica Summilux optical lens and the company's proprietary HyperAI technology.

In Hall 4, visitors could learn about KazLLM, an AI model designed to preserve the Kazakh language. The project addresses UNESCO findings that a language faces extinction every two weeks, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can safeguard cultural heritage.

The GSMA Ministerial Programme, a forum for government representatives and regulators that runs alongside the main exhibition, attracted 188 delegations representing 148 countries and 40 intergovernmental organisations, according to GSMA figures. The programme included 66 ministers and 111 heads of regulatory authorities.

"MWC is where industries meet, and this year's event showed just how fast technology is reshaping the world around us," says John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd. "From AI-powered networks to the future of smart mobility, the discussions this week in Barcelona will set the tone for the year ahead."

The event data showed that 21% of attendees were C-suite executives, with 50% at director level or above. Female representation reached 27% of attendees, while the speakers at conference sessions were 41% female.

4YFN startup platform and future GSMA events announced

The 4YFN (Four Years From Now) programme, which focuses on technology startups, hosted over 1,000 exhibiting companies and attracted more than 900 investors with access to a collective €60 billion in funding. The platform, designed to connect early-stage companies with potential investors and corporate partners, featured nearly 380 speakers across its dedicated track.

Separately, the Talent Arena organised by Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital), a public-private initiative focused on digital development in Barcelona, welcomed more than 20,000 attendees at Fira Montjuïc. The venue featured technology demonstrations including BIEL Smartgaze Glasses, which use artificial intelligence and robotics to help those with visual impairments, and scentXP's fragrance recommender system.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak made an appearance at the Talent Arena, discussing topics ranging from building technology as a child to artificial intelligence regulation, stating "You should have citations... you could see where on the internet it came from and that would help you judge better."

The GSMA reported that 56% of the overall attendees represented industries adjacent to the mobile ecosystem rather than core telecommunications companies, indicating the expanding influence of mobile technology across sectors.

"As you walk around MWC this week, there is no denying the incredible impact that connectivity has on our lives. It has truly transformed the way that we live and work and interact with each other," says Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer of the GSMA.

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