MWC Barcelona 2025: Innovating with AI to create techco value

Contributed Article On the third day of this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Huawei’s James Chen, President of the Carrier Business, delivered a keynote speech on the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in the telco industry. Chen’s speech highlighted how AI is set to drive up Techco value creation enabling operators to evolve and thrive in the digital era. The changing of the industry business model As 5G, cloud computing, and AI reshape industries, operators must rethink their business models. There are three areas in which that AI can drive innovation here: Monetisation of differentiated experiences. AI enables real-time network adjustments to improve user experiences, such as offering VIP network packages to live-streaming influencers facing congestion. Live stream shopping is extremely popular, especially in China, and a congested network could negatively impact the live streamers by slowing sales. By offering a monetised package to the live streamer to ensure a clear network, for example, the live streaming business is guaranteed. But for this to work, operators must ensure that AI is deployed on the network to identify user needs in real time, and then recommend appropriate packages. This monetisation could apply to other areas too, such as gaming or business travel. Intelligent home services . AI-powered smart home solutions, such as Wi-Fi routers that detect emergencies and notify family members. In the presentation, the audience is shown a video of an elderly family member falling, with the Wi-Fi router immediately detecting it and contacting family members to ensure safety in the home. Currently, Korean and Chinese operators are researching unified intelligent home entry with an AI agent inside. Here, the agent serves as a gateway for accessing different intelligent home devices. It can understand the intentions of each family member, and then use the right applications in the cloud. Using this example, the operator can evolve into being not just a broadband provider but a full AI services provider. B2B cloud solutions. Operators can use AI-powered cloud platforms to support the digital transformation of businesses, not just single users or households. The audience are given the example of a ‘Super-App’ provided by a North African operator, which lets users book taxis, flights, and pay taxes. By offering more than just internet services, telecom companies can help industries go digital and find new opportunities for monetisation and diversification. AI-powered telecom operations AI is also improving telecom operations, enhancing efficiency in maintenance and troubleshooting. With the newly introduced Telecom Foundation Model network issues can be detected within three minutes, after which an AI agent assists the field engineer with repairs. The implementation of a telecom foundation model supports predictive maintenance, optimising resource allocation and reducing service downtime. Overall, it improves efficiency and enhances the user experience. The future of telecom infrastructure “Infrastructure is the foundation for everything,” said Chen. To support AI-driven transformation, telecom infrastructure must evolve in three ways: Intelligent Connectivity. Networks need to transition from best-effort models to deterministic experiences with seamless connections. Intelligent Cloud. Distributed computing power will be essential to support cloud-based services and AI-driven analytics. 3. Integrated Resource Collaboration. Operators must align their network, cloud, and computing resources to best optimise their performance and efficiency. Huawei reaffirmed its commitment to helping operators navigate the AI era in three ways. By offering AI-enhanced business solutions, AI-enabled operations, and AI-centric infrastructure. Chen’s speech concluded with a call for immediate action. “The AI era has arrived. The best time to act is now,” he urged.