MWC Barcelona 2023 – The event highlights

Keynote speeches from ingenious leaders and innovative experts 

MWC Barcelona is undoubtedly the premier global tech and startup event of the year. 2023’s Mobile World Congress saw 190 countries taking part to celebrate and talk about an industry which connects 5.4 billion people – that’s an astonishing 70% of the world’s population. In case you didn’t make it, mustard XP is at your service to present a run down with all the highlights – and video links. So settle down with a glass of Rioja, and enjoy!  

Day One

Keynote 1 – Vision of an Open Future

Mats Granryd, CEO, GSMA, talks enthusiastically about the mindset that the industry needs as shifts in innovation set us on a more immersive and inclusive trajectory. “I believe that we are at the beginning of a new era of exploration. Those that dare can lead the way.”  Along with Mats, we also hear from Christel Heydemann CEO of Orange, and José María Álvarez-Pallete Chairman and CEO of Telefónica Mobile who all have a lot to say about how networks are evolving to be more open. 

Keynote 2 – Delivering the digital decade

In this lively session, we hear how advancements in AI, 5G and the availability and accessibility of cloud services is changing the way we interact with the world. It’s also revealed how this also includes VR and AR applications. Tim Hoettges tells us to “Trust your nerds! Technology first … we should listen to the innovators in our companies.” Tim is joined by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General ITU; Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson; Tim Hoettges, CEO, Deutsche Telekom; Xin Dong, President and CEO, China Mobile, and presenter, Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA.  

Keynote 3 Changing Worlds – First of a Two-Part Story

Part One showcases three leading women in business, Margherita Della Valle, CFO and Interim Group CEO of Vodafone Group, Allison Kirkby, President and CEO of Telia Company, and Anna Borg, President and CEO of Vattenfall. They explain how collaboration and forging new ecosystems can lead to transformative opportunities. This fascinating discussion includes the impact of the energy crisis, supply disruptions, and increasing costs. 

Part Two

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Formula E joins stars of the car racing circuit Christine Giampaoli Zonca and Laia Sanz in Part Two. This fascinating discussion involves renewable energy sources and a new sporting platform which promotes technology advancements, the environment and equality. 

Day Two

Keynote 4 – The Evolution of Innovation

Click on the links to find out what these experts have to say about how advanced technology systems, innovation and collaboration are changing the realms of manufacturing, logistics, early cancer detection and an awful lot more: 

James Taiclet, Chairman, President and CEO, Lockheed Martin; Raymond Dolan, Chairman and CEO, Cohere Technologies 

Raymond Dolan, Chairman and CEO, Cohere Technologies; Andrew Feinberg, Chairman and CEO, Netcracker and BostonGene; Takayuki Morita, President and CEO, NEC Corporation  

Vincent Clerc, CEO, AP Moller – Maersk  

Vicki Brady, CEO, Telstra 

Keynote 5 – Is it Time for Co-Creation?

The global economy has an increasing number of end users, which requires more and more digital enablers. The creation of a fully connected and intelligent world is simultaneously inventing a new wealth of experiences and platforms. But this cannot be achieved alone. Leaders in the mobile industry talk about exactly how the new path of digital collaboration is emerging and what it looks like. 

Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO, Nokia  

Cher Wang, Chairperson and CEO, HTC  

Kuan Moon, SEO Singtel  

Hyeonmo Ku, President and CEO KT  

Pietro Labriola, CEO, Telecom Italia  

Keynote 6 – The Future of Sports and Entertainment

Join Lucy Bronze, one of Barcelona’s star players, and Co-CEO of Netflix Greg Peters for a enlightening presentation about how technology is defining both of their futures. FC Barcelona are using it to both connect and draw fans closer together, which provides valuable mental support for the team. Meanwhile over at Netflix they’re collaborating with telcos to improvet the way that their streaming users can link up with their perfect stories and documentaries. 

Day Three

Keynote 7 – New Behaviour for a New Reality

“2022 was supposed to be the year of the metaverse but was in fact the year of generative AI… over 100 million tried Chat GPT.” That is what Lauren Kunze, CEO of Iconiq had to say when she introduced this fascinating keynote. First, Tjodolf Sommestad (President, King) talks about how advances in AI and innovating are creating a more playful the world. We then find out from Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Gcash from Mynt, Globe Fintech Innovations Inc about the financial app that’s had a truly life-changing effect on millions of Filipinos 

Keynote 8 – Enter the Metaverse

Dimple is the South Korean company aiming to accelerate the mass adoption of the metaverse. Dimple’s CEO Marcus Ko believes he’s found the answer. “Why not enter the metaverse through a mobile device?” Marcus’s instinct is shared by The Sandbox co-founder and COO, Sebastien Borget, and Nicole Lazzaro, President and Founder, XEO Design.They explain exactly why brands need to adopt a sense of urgentcy in enterint the metaverse right now. There’s also practical advice on how Brands can join in the metaverse party. 

It’s a wrap for MWC Barcelona 2023, but plans for 2024’s event are already underway.

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