MWC26: The IQ Era - Intelligent Infrastructure and AI Lead Industry Shift

"MWC26 is set to be one of the most strategically important editions yet — and the industry conversation is shifting from connectivity to intelligence, responsibility and reinvention. In this exclusive preview webinar, Peter Jarich (Head of GSMA Intelligence) is joined by Hakan Dursun (Chief Strategy Officer, GSMA), Radhika Gupta, and Tim Hatt to break down what really matters at MWC26 Barcelona — beyond the hype. Together, they explore the six defining themes of MWC26: Intelligent Infrastructure – AI-native networks, cloud-native architectures, NTN integration and the foundation for the next G Connect AI – Embedding AI across RAN, core and edge to move from cost efficiency to monetisation AI for Enterprise – Sector-specific AI, measurable ROI and new telco revenue models AI Nexus – Sovereign AI, governance, policy and the control layer debate Game Changers – Direct-to-device satellite, quantum, autonomous systems and exponential bets Tech for All – Inclusion, sustainability, climate resilience and digital equity Key discussions include: The shift from AI experimentation to revenue-driven deployment Sovereign AI: what it really means (data, infrastructure, model and control layers) Satellite commercialisation and spectrum as a competitive lever Why architecture — not just technology — is becoming the strategic battleground Where investment is flowing across AI, satellite and quantum" Mobile World Congress MWC26: What to expect and how to plan GSMA https://lnkd.in/eugvFtPe

From Networks to Intelligence: Reimagining Power, Energy and Infrastructure for the AI Driven World Gautham Gnanajothi, Senior Vice President of Frost & Sullivan, delivered a keynote speech on the above topic at the event. #HuaweiAIPoweredGreenSite #MWC2026

Looking forward to discussing how circularity instruments, such as IT-linked EACs can drive decarbonisation, even in an environment where total IT spending is increasing dramatically, fuelled by AI. Can't wait to learn from my esteemed co-panelists too!

In the opening of our #MWC26 preview webinar Hakan Dursun, CSO at the GSMA, sets out the strategic lens behind this year’s six themes and why they matter. These themes weren’t created in isolation. They are built from year-round research, industry analysis, support from GSMA Intelligence and deep collaboration with operators, vendors and ecosystem players. Hakan breaks down how the six themes fit together: • Intelligent Infrastructure – the foundation layer • Connect AI – operational intelligence embedded in networks • AI for Enterprise – tangible monetisation • AI Nexus – governance and sovereign AI • Game Changers – long-term disruption • Tech for All – inclusion and sustainability His message is clear: MWC26 is about identifying real investable signals — not hype. Watch Hakan’s introduction here, and visit website to catch the full webinar discussion with GSMA Intelligence analysts on what to prioritise at MWC26 Barcelona. https://lnkd.in/e4n4B7-n Peter Jarich Tim Hatt Radhika Gupta (She/Her)

Solid framing from Hiral Humal on the UN Global Digital Compact. The interoperability point deserves a harder look from the compliance side. The AI governance splinternet isn't coming. It's already here. 193 countries signed the GDC. Meanwhile, a U.S. federal contractor deploying an AI hiring tool today has to reconcile EEOC adverse impact rules, EU AI Act Article 6 high-risk classification, Colorado SB 24-205, and a voluntary NIST AI RMF, with no official crosswalk between any of them. That's not a future problem. That's Tuesday. The GDC's interoperability framing is correct. The timeline is wrong. The EU AI Act enforcement starts August 2, 2026. NIST stays voluntary. Just this past February, the EDPB published its report from a coordinated right-to-erasure enforcement action, involving 32 supervisory authorities across Europe. TLDR: 9 opened formal investigations, 23 ran fact-finding exercises, 764 controllers were contacted. Map your highest-risk AI system against three jurisdictions this week: where your data subjects live, where your company is incorporated, and which regulator is most likely to investigate first. If those answers produce three different evidence requirements, you have a governance problem - today. The organizations that survive multi-jurisdictional AI enforcement shouldn't waiting for alignment. They're should build compliance architecture that's jurisdiction aware at the design stage where auditors and security personnel can build mechanisms to satisfy multiple regulators from the same underlying system, not retrofitted later. EDPB Report: https://lnkd.in/e7g_nQkm UN Global Digital Compact: https://lnkd.in/ehm6P3Gp #AIGovernance #Compliance #EUAIAct #GRC #CISO

The conversations we’re having about AI right now are showing up in real projects. Power availability is shaping development timelines. Capital is asking different questions. Operators are rethinking how infrastructure gets delivered and where risk sits. That is exactly why we’re bringing this group together. During SXSW, Weaver is hosting a live forum focused on how AI is reshaping energy and power markets, commercial real estate finance and infrastructure, grid governance, climate risk, and capital strategy. These are the issues influencing decisions today across development, investment, and operations. This forum brings together leaders who are working through these shifts in real time and thinking about what it takes to deliver infrastructure that performs financially, operationally, and for the communities it supports. More speakers to be announced soon! Register today: https://lnkd.in/geMdDtbq

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 & 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝! The agenda for the Leadership & Governance Conference has now been released, and it's shaping up to be one of our most engaging programmes yet. From Executive Ministers setting out priorities for the Programme for Government, to practical sessions on public sector transformation, AI-driven innovation, financial sustainability, and citizen engagement, this year's conference is focused on how we collectively deliver better outcomes in challenging times. Highlights include: 🔵 A keynote session with the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Finance Minister 🔵 Transformation case studies showcasting what's working across the public sector 🔵 18 Café Conversations - from Ethical AI and Climate Change to Data, collaboration and young people shaping change 🔵 A dedicated session on using AI to drive efficiency in public services ➡️Find the agenda, along with the booking link here: https://lnkd.in/et3yVV8b #NIGovConf26

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 leaders are embracing AI to strengthen climate risk modelling, scenario planning, and sustainability reporting. This isn’t just innovation, it’s a decisive move toward resilience, transparency, and long‑term sustainability. The CEO Outlook shows how technology is redefining the future of finance and shaping a greener tomorrow. To learn more about the 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 insights from 𝗞𝗣𝗠𝗚’𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸, visit: https://lnkd.in/epJsM8Zn #CEOoutlookAssetManagement #PrivateEquity Ropfiwa Sithubi CA(SA) | Huns Biltoo | Julius Ngonga | Rygaana Boltman | Michelle Dubois

The Safety Management & Sustainability Trends Report is almost here! We partnered with independent research firm, Verdantix, to gather perspectives from global professionals and experts navigating regulatory shifts, workforce pressures, and the burgeoning rise of AI in safety management. If you want to understand where #EHS and #ESG are heading before the rest of the market catches on, now’s your chance. Join the early‑access list: https://lnkd.in/gaZYdv9Y #AIinSafety #SafetyManagement #SafetyTrends #SustainabilityTrends #SMSTR

The intersection of #EHS, #ESG, and AI is moving faster than ever. At Quentic (an AMCS company), we’re committed to staying ahead of these shifts. If you want to see where the industry is heading in 2026 and beyond, join our early-access list to receive the Safety Management & Sustainability Trends Report as soon as it goes live! https://lnkd.in/gaZYdv9Y #Quentic #SafetyManagement #AIinSafety #SustainabilityTrends #SMSTR