Perspectives

Abstract

by Stéphane Téral
March 11, 2025

I could not escape! Like last year, that artificial intelligence (AI) was overwhelmingly present at the event came with little surprise. But for many telecom veterans, it was somewhat frustrating because most communications service providers (CSPs) have been leveraging AI for years in various parts of their network, including by building several AI tools themselves. The reaction on the floor and behind closed doors was so what? For now, the AI hype rages on until the dust settles down, then the moment of reckoning will materialize, will it be MWC26?

Never mind, the AI buzz attracted a large crowd to La Fira. According to the GSMA, over 109,000 people made the trip to Barcelona from 205 countries and territories, which marks an 8% increase from MWC24’s attendance of 101,000. Did it feel that way?

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