The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 is set to draw over 101,000 attendees this week, cementing its status as the global epicenter for mobile innovation, with artificial intelligence (AI) dominating discussions and demonstrations.
Organizers from the GSMA, the event’s host, project the four-day summit will generate an economic boost of €540 million to €550 million for Barcelona, up from €500 million in 2023, further solidifying its legacy as a catalyst for tech-driven growth since its debut in the city in 2006.
This year’s MWC will spotlight AI’s transformative role across industries, featuring heavyweight speakers like Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch and futurist Ray Kurzweil, known for his bold predictions on AI’s societal impact. A groundbreaking pilot program will debut AI-powered live translations by Mixhalo, offering real-time interpretations in French, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese across 11 stages—a nod to the technology’s potential to break language barriers in global collaboration.
“The AI conversation has accelerated dramatically in just one year,” said Lara Dewar, GSMA’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re bringing together the minds shaping this revolution.”
The event will host 1,200 speakers, with 40% women and 30% hailing from industries outside telecoms, reflecting a deliberate push to diversify perspectives. Meanwhile, the Talent Arena, expanded to Fira Montjuïc after a successful 2023 trial, aims to bridge gaps between tech talent and employers. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will headline sessions, while developers compete in the GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon, testing projects on live networks using cutting-edge APIs.
The GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative, now backed by nearly 300 mobile networks covering 75% of global connections, will showcase its vision for a unified API economy. Attendees can explore demos like Nokia’s remote-controlled car experiment in Finland, highlighting how open network APIs enable real-time, cross-border innovation.
GSMA Director General Mats Granryd expressed confidence in MWC’s expanding footprint, noting plans for Hall 0’s 2027 opening to alleviate space constraints at Fira Gran Via. The congress also reaffirms its core fixtures: the 30th Global Mobile Awards (GLOMOs), the 4YFN startup forum, and the Ministerial Programme, which will convene 180 delegations from 140 countries to debate tech policy.
MWC 2024 underscores the mobile industry’s pivot from connectivity to AI-driven ecosystems. The emphasis on real-time translation tech and API integration signals a future where networks serve as platforms for global collaboration. However, challenges linger—scaling AI responsibly and ensuring diverse voices shape its evolution remain critical.
The GSMA’s focus on Talent Arena and developer engagement, including hackathons on charter flights and high-speed trains, reveals a strategic play to nurture grassroots innovation. Yet, as MWC grows, balancing commercial ambitions with inclusive growth will test organizers. For now, Barcelona’s streets buzz with anticipation, as the world watches to see how 2024’s themes—AI, openness, and connection—will redefine tomorrow’s digital landscape.
