The initiative is structured around three core pillars: intelligent networks, ecosystem collaboration, and industry adoption.
At MWC26 Barcelona, the GSMA, together with China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, announced the launch of the Mobile AI Innovation Initiative, a new industry collaboration to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence with mobile networks and infrastructure.
Building on the GSMA’s Mobile AI Community, established in 2025, the initiative brings together operators and ecosystem partners to advance the development of AI-enabled connectivity, edge intelligence and cloud-network collaboration. Its focus is on enabling scalable, secure and trustworthy foundations for AI applications across the real economy, as well as driving the development of telecom services, computing services and intelligent services.
The initiative is structured around three core pillars: intelligent networks, ecosystem collaboration, and industry adoption.
Building AI-native intelligent networks
The initiative aims to support the evolution of mobile networks from passive connectivity platforms into intelligent, adaptive systems. Through the combined approaches of AI for Networks and Networks for AI, operators will work towards networks capable of real-time perception, optimisation and decision-making.
With the support of participating operators, the GSMA will advance industry alignment on the integration of 5G-Advanced and AI, including the deployment of AI-enabled edge capabilities and the delivery of high-quality, deterministic network services to support large-scale AI use cases.
“AI is moving rapidly with fast, real-world deployment. To scale responsibly and effectively, it requires connectivity that is ubiquitous, low-latency, programmable and secure. Mobile networks provide a unique foundation for this next phase of AI development. Through this initiative, we are bringing together global expertise and practical experience to help build the intelligent infrastructure that AI-enabled societies will depend on.”
– Sihan Bo Chen, Head, GSMA Greater China
Enabling a collaborative device-edge-cloud ecosystem
The initiative will encourage collaboration across the value chain to support the development of Mobile AI devices and platforms. This includes work to align on technical specifications and accelerate innovation across key device categories such as AI-enabled smartphones, wearables, connected vehicles and robotics.
Through the GSMA Open Gateway framework, participating organisations will also explore approaches to secure, trusted data exchange, helping to reduce fragmentation and support responsible AI development across networks and platforms.
Supporting AI adoption across industries
A further focus of the initiative is enabling AI applications across priority sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, transport and urban services. Building on existing GSMA work on operator-led AI deployments, the initiative will support knowledge-sharing and collaboration between operators, technology providers and industry partners.
This includes the development of a cross-industry innovation platform to showcase practical Mobile AI Innovation use cases and support the emergence of new AI-enabled services. With the launch of the Mobile AI Innovation Initiative, the GSMA and its partners aim to support the next phase of AI development by aligning innovation with trusted connectivity, open collaboration and real-world impact.
As part of the initiative’s implementation, the GSMA also confirmed that MWC26 Shanghai, taking place from 24-26 June, will serve as a key global platform for advancing Mobile AI Innovation collaboration. Marking the 13th edition of the event – an auspicious number in Chinese culture – MWC26 Shanghai will reflect a new phase in its evolution, with a dynamic agenda focused on next-generation technologies shaping the mobile and digital ecosystem.
Introducing more strategic partners in support of MWC26 Shanghai
In a move to complete the strategic partners initiative in support of MWC26 Shanghai, announced last year, the GSMA has unveiled more partners who bring their industry and technological leadership, forming an essential part of MWC26 Shanghai, taking the total number of strategic partners to over 30. The new partners include Alibaba Cloud, Asiainfo, Intel, AgiBot, APSAT and 5GAA.
MWC26 Shanghai will feature dedicated zones and content showcasing advances across Mobile AI, robotics, 5G-Advanced, early 6G research, Low altitude economy and satellite–mobile convergence. The strategic partners of feature zones include China Mobile Group Device Co., Ltd., Unicom Vsens Telecommunications Co., Ltd., China Mobile (Chengdu) Institute of Research and Development and China Telecom Low Altitude Economic Industry Alliance. This dynamic programme will bring together operators, technology providers and industry partners to demonstrate how AI-enabled connectivity is being applied in real-world environments.
