The 2026 Mobile World Congress (MWC) concluded on Thursday in Barcelona, Spain, showcasing how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming mobile communications beyond simple connectivity into a broader digital ecosystem powered by cloud computing, data platforms, and industry applications.

The four-day event, themed "The IQ Era," drew more than 100,000 attendees from 207 countries and territories, according to figures released Thursday by the organizer GSMA.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the event's presence in Barcelona, this year's MWC has also attracted around 2,900 exhibitors, sponsors and partners, including over 350 companies from China, according to the organizer.

At this year's MWC, it is widely recognized that as AI is moving from concept to large-scale deployment, telecom networks are shifting from basic connectivity infrastructure to platforms supporting AI-driven applications.

Peter Jarich, head of GSMA Intelligence, said at the final conference that this year's MWC indicates the telecom industry is entering a new phase of development, with focus shifting from improving network performance to building more open communications architectures and ecosystems around AI, cloud computing and data platforms.

From AI-powered innovations, including a robot phone, to AI applications built on Huawei's AI models and computing platforms, such as fintech firm YSSTech's intelligent investment assistant designed to provide trading analysis and decision-making support, a range of Chinese technologies emerged as highlights on the exhibition floor.

GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath said the global connectivity industry has never been more energized or purposeful.

"MWC 2026 has shown us what happens when the world's brightest minds come together around genuinely hard problems, from open and inclusive AI and realizing the full potential of 5G, to keeping the world safe from the growing threat of fraud and cybercrime," he said.

In addition, Chinese companies won multiple honors across categories including network infrastructure, innovative products and industry solutions at the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards.