The 18th edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) took place in Barcelona, Spain, from February 27 to March 2, 2023, and featured innovations in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and 5G technology. The event, which attracted more than 80,000 visitors, had the theme “Velocity” and focused on topics such as accelerating the adoption of 5G, financial technology services (fintech), augmented reality, open networks (OpenNet), and Industry 4.0, which is related to the increase of interconnectedness and artificial intelligence.
The event featured more than 2,000 exhibitors, including 150 from China, which has reopened after the pandemic. Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, had the largest stand at the event, which was 11,000 square meters, and offered guided tours to journalists and visitors to showcase its growth in various dimensions such as 5G technology development, infrastructure construction, and renewable energy production and storage. The focus of the MWC has shifted from new mobile devices to innovations in artificial intelligence and 5G technology, reflecting the changing trends and interests of the tech industry.
The MWC has evolved from being a showcase for new mobile devices to a platform for innovations in technology. This year’s event saw a decline in smartphone-related exhibitors, reflecting the declining market for smartphones, whose sales fell by 11.3% in 2022 to 1.21 billion units. More than half of the expected visitors at the MWC were not from the mobile phone industry.
Visitors to the event were able to test new technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality simulators and see various robots, including a robotic dog and a humanoid robot, surrounded by curious onlookers. The event was a glimpse into the future of the tech industry and showcased the innovative work being done by tech companies.
Chinese companies were well represented at the event, with 150 exhibitors from China. This was due to the recent reopening of China after the pandemic. It was expected that 25% more visitors from Asia would attend the event than last year, with up to 5,000 visitors from China alone.
Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, had the largest stand at the event, which was 11,000 square meters. The company showcased its growth in various dimensions, including 5G technology development, infrastructure construction, and renewable energy production and storage. The company’s stand had a section dedicated to mobile phones, but the guided tours provided to journalists and visitors showcased the company’s focus on innovation in other areas.
The MWC is a showcase for the tech industry and reflects the changing trends and interests of the industry. The focus of the event has shifted from new mobile devices to innovations in artificial intelligence and 5G technology. The event has become a platform for companies to showcase their innovative work in areas such as augmented reality, fintech, open networks, and Industry 4.0. The MWC is a glimpse into the future of the tech industry and shows how technology is shaping the world around us.