MWC 2025: Connectivity and Artificial Intelligence Shaping the Future
Barcelona becomes the global hub of innovation with the latest advancements in 5G, AI, and mobile technology.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, taking place from March 3 to 6 in Barcelona, solidifies itself as the leading event in mobile technology and connectivity. With an expected attendance of over 101,000 visitors and an estimated economic impact between €540 and €550 million, MWC reaffirms its role as a driver of digital innovation and transformation. What to expect at MWC 2025?
5G and Artificial Intelligence: The Connectivity Revolution
One of the key highlights of this edition will be the combination of 5G and artificial intelligence (AI). The deployment of standalone 5G networks and the implementation of network slicing will enable more efficient and personalized connectivity for various applications, from autonomous vehicles to smart cities. Meanwhile, AI will continue to redefine the sector with autonomous agents capable of performing tasks independently, optimizing processes, and enhancing user experience.
MWC 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal edition in defining the technological future, with AI and 5G at the core of innovation.
AI's influence will also be evident in smart home integration, with more advanced virtual assistants that learn and adapt to user routines. This evolution will be reflected in smarter home automation devices and the arrival of AI-assisted domestic robots, designed to automate daily tasks.
When we talk about connectivity, it is no longer just a matter of infrastructure but of data and information. And in this regard, we have seen how Mobile has evolved since 2006. Where are the holograms, the metaverse, and other gadgets now? Remember when Mark Zuckerberg came to sell us the virtues of virtual reality glasses. Do we still see him more as the young entrepreneur portrayed in David Fincher's movie The Social Network or as the oligarch friend of Donald Trump?
Talent and Innovation: The Role of 4YFN and Talent Arena
Beyond showcasing new technologies, MWC 2025 will promote emerging talent through 4 Years From Now (4YFN), the dedicated startup space. This event will bring together over 700 emerging companies, providing them with the opportunity to connect with investors, established companies, and industry experts.
Pere Duran, director of 4YFN, emphasizes the significance of this platform within MWC: "4YFN has become a platform for the most innovative startups to find the opportunities, connections, and resources they need to grow, while investors and corporations discover the talent that will shape the future of the technol
Another key attraction will be the Talent Arena, a new event running alongside MWC that aspires to become Europe's leading developer conference. Hosted in Barcelona, a city that has established itself as one of Europe’s top technology hubs, Talent Arena fills the gap for a major convention specifically designed for developers, data analysts, and other tech professionals. In its inaugural edition, the event will feature distinguished guests such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and chess grandmaster and AI expert Garry Kasparov.
New Devices and Technological Innovations
MWC 2025 will also serve as the stage for unveiling the latest innovations in devices. Xiaomi will lead the market with its 15 Ultra, featuring a 200 MP periscope camera and a Leica-inspired design. Nothing will introduce its 3A series, incorporating a triple camera and a new side button for an AI assistant. Samsung may surprise with the Galaxy S25 Edge, an ultra-thin model that introduces a fresh approach to smartphone design.
With a strong focus on digital talent and the startup ecosystem, the event will not only set the direction for new technologies but also solidify Barcelona as the global capital of connectivity.
Other brands, such as Google, will present advancements in Android and its AI assistant, Gemini, while HMD will showcase a device inspired by the classic Snake game, possibly in collaboration with FC Barcelona. Lenovo will launch the ThinkBook Flip, a laptop with a foldable screen that transforms into a dual display, and Honor is expected to reveal its new Alpha Plan strategy, along with enhancements in iOS device compatibility.
In the mobile segment, Realme will unveil the 14 Pro series, featuring a color-changing finish depending on temperature and a sensor inspired by DSLR cameras. Tecno will introduce its Camon 40 series, focused on improving skin tone capture, while TCL will continue to develop its Nxtpaper screens, similar to E Ink.
AI as the Central Focus
Beyond hardware launches, MWC 2025 will showcase the widespread integration of artificial intelligence across all areas of the tech sector. From connected devices to voice assistants and industrial solutions, AI will be the dominant theme of this edition.
Autonomous AI agents will become a tangible reality, improving business processes, customer service, and operational efficiency. Meanwhile, the integration of more robust 5G networks will enable better communication between devices and enhance real-time performance for these intelligent systems.
In the end, despite its inconsistencies, caught between technology and geopolitics, the Mobile World Congress remains a space for dialogue, networking, and global vision. It seems like a contradiction in these times of authoritarianism and ultra-nationalist perspectives.
The Mobile is a metaphor for our times—ever more distant from its original name, yet closer to the global reach and connectivity for which it was conceived by the GSMA.
UOC at 4YFN: Transforming Education through Technology
The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) will also participate in 4YFN, highlighting several innovative EdTech projects. UOC start-ups and spin-offs bring tech innovation to education, health and business services:
Accessibles focuses on improving digital accessibility in education through AI-driven tools, helping people with cognitive, communication, and sensory needs.
ARCamp develops an app that combines augmented reality, GPS, and QR codes to create interactive educational experiences.
Immersium Studio specializes in immersive learning using virtual and augmented reality, applied in training, healthcare, and tourism.
Langtern uses AI to enhance language learning, providing personalized lesson planning for educators.
Levelab offers a platform for STEM education, enabling hands-on learning in programming, engineering, and science.
Smart Classroom Project focuses on research-driven educational environments, improving learning spaces and methodologies.