MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2026 has closed its 20th anniversary in Barcelona with 105,000 attendees from 207 countries and the participation of 2,900 exhibitors and 1,700 speakers. Not even geopolitical tensions and flight cancellations dampened an edition that, under the slogan ‘The IQ Era’, addressed how artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity and digital infrastructures are redefining the future of technology.
Below, we summarise the five trends that have caught our attention the most.
1. Digital butlers: AI agents are here
The main trend at MWC 2026 was the evolution of artificial intelligence towards systems capable of acting autonomously. This is known as ‘agent-based AI’, in which digital agents act as digital butlers, interacting with various apps to manage meetings, emails or bookings autonomously without user intervention.
However, questions also arise about the privacy and cybersecurity of agentic AI, as these agents access personal data in order to operate. For his part, Arthur Mensch, founder of Mistral AI (the European alternative to ChatGPT), has called for taking advantage of the opportunities offered by this more accessible AI to boost the EU’s technological sovereignty, one of the areas where it lags behind the United States and China. The Spanish government has already announced that it will allocate €100 million to this effort.
2. The slowdown of 5G and the race for universal connectivity
As usual, MWC 2026 took the pulse of developments in telecommunications networks. While planning for the arrival of 6G around 2030, the GSMA warns of the uneven rollout of 5G in Europe compared to the United States or China. The fragmentation of the European market, with nearly 200 operators, is slowing its development.
On the other hand, the sector is moving towards universal connectivity with the integration of terrestrial and satellite networks. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell explained how Starlink’s alliance with mobile operators will eliminate the last areas without coverage on the planet. This hybrid connectivity is part of the so-called non-terrestrial networks, which seek to extend internet access even to the most remote regions or in the middle of the ocean.
3. Robots are starting to live alongside humans
While previous editions discussed the application of robotics in areas such as industry, logistics and defense, this edition focuses on robots that interact with people.
Companies such as Agibot have presented robots designed to interact with users in public spaces, shops and airports. Using AI and advanced sensors, these robots interpret their surroundings and communicate naturally. The sector expects them to soon become commonplace in areas such as customer service and elderly care.
At the same time, some companies are exploring new forms of emotional interaction with these technological devices. ZTE, for example, has unveiled iMoochi, a smart pet that uses sensors and machine learning to respond to the user’s gestures and stimuli, exploring the potential of robotics as a companion animal.
4. Smartphones are becoming increasingly intelligent and autonomous.
Another notable trend at MWC 2026 is the shift of artificial intelligence from the cloud to mobile devices. Companies such as Samsung have demonstrated how this integrated AI will enable devices to anticipate needs, automate everyday tasks and learn from user behaviour to provide faster responses.
In the near future, AI will also enable different devices to work in coordination, from mobile phones to extended reality glasses and smart headphones. The manufacturer Honor has gone even further by introducing the first Robot Phone, whose camera incorporates a mini robotic arm that follows you as you move. This opens the door to a new generation of smart devices that can interact with the physical world.
In computers, the big leap forward will come with quantum computing. IBM has unveiled a prototype at the conference, and Telefónica believes it will be the key to boosting cybersecurity.
5. Startups and talent: the other driving force behind the mobile congress
Beyond the big tech companies, entrepreneurship has once again taken centre stage at Mobile World Congress 2026. The 4YFN event, which has been held since 2014 in parallel with the congress, brought together more than 1,000 start-ups seeking investment. This year, the forum focused on Health Tech and the sustainability of start-ups, and featured 300 speakers and investors managing $70 billion.
Added to this is the Talent Arena, organised by Mobile World Capital Barcelona, which brought together more than 25,000 attendees interested in finding training and professional opportunities in the digital sector. In its second edition, this parallel event grew by 25% compared to the previous year and had a notable international presence, reflecting Barcelona’s growing role as a European hub for technological talent.
Want to stay up to date with digital trends? Follow our Digital Trends!
Deborah Gray is Founder and CEO
