Mobile World Congress 2024

AI is redefining digital transformation for every industry, including telecommunications. Every operator’s AI journey will be distinct. But each AI journey requires cloud-native transformation, which provides the foundation for any organization to harness the full potential of AI, driving innovation, efficiency and business value.

This new era of AI will create incredible economic growth and represent a profound shift as a percentage impact on global GDP, which is just over $100 trillion. So, when we look at the potential value driven by this next generation of AI technology, we may see a boost to global GDP of an additional $7 trillion to $10 trillion.

Learn more about how embracing AI will help operators unlock new revenue streams, deliver superior customer experiences and pioneer future innovations for growth.

As we enter a new era based on artificial intelligence, we believe this is the best time to articulate principles that will govern how we will operate our AI datacenter infrastructure and other important AI assets around the world. We are announcing and publishing these principles – our “AI Access Principles” – today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in part to address Microsoft’s growing role and responsibility as an AI innovator and a market leader. Learn more by reading the full blog: Brad Smith - Vice Chair & President, Microsoft On the Issues.

Read the blog for a detailed look at announcements across the Azure for Operators product portfolio.

March 1: Orange Middle East and Africa collaborates with Microsoft to accelerate the digital transformation of SMEs across the region

February 28: Telkomsel Expands AI Collaboration with Microsoft to Enhance Customers’ Digital Lifestyle Experience

February 26: Telefónica partners with Microsoft to incorporate generative AI into Kernel

February 26: Amdocs Expands Strategic Partnership with Microsoft, Driving Generative AI Innovation Across the Telecommunications Industry

February 26: Broadpeak collaborates with Deutsche Telekom global carrier and Microsoft Azure to improve the mobile video streaming experience

February 23: Ericsson and Microsoft empower CSPs to transform their core networks

February 21: Nokia announces GenAI assistant integrated with NetGuard Cybersecurity Dome to strengthen network protection

The AI industry is undergoing a significant transformation with growing interest in more efficient and cost-effective models, emblematic of a broader trend in technological advancement. In the vanguard is Mistral AI, an innovator and trailblazer. Their commitment to fostering the open-source community and achieving exceptional performance aligns harmoniously with Microsoft’s commitment to develop trustworthy, scalable, and responsible AI solutions.

Today, we are announcing a multi-year partnership between Microsoft and Mistral AI, a recognized leader in generative artificial intelligence. Both companies are fueled by a steadfast dedication to innovation and practical applications, bridging the gap between pioneering research and real-world solutions.

Learn moreabout how this partnership with Microsoft enables Mistral AI with access to Azure’s cutting-edge AI infrastructure, to accelerate the development and deployment of their next generation large language models (LLMs) and represents an opportunity for Mistral AI to unlock new commercial opportunities, expand to global markets, and foster ongoing research collaboration.

AI has become a strategic imperative for telecom companies to gain a competitive edge and thrive in the market. AI has been proven to accelerate transformation by enabling telcos to provide better customer service and experience, optimize network performance and reliability, enhance security, and innovate new products and services. We are specifically seeing how generative AI is providing a big boost to the telecommunications industry. Microsoft has a long history of partnering with telecommunications companies, and the era of AI has provided tremendous opportunities for joint innovation and collaboration.

Read the blog by Silvia Candiani, Vice President WW Telecommunications & Media, to learn how we're inspiring and enabling telco transformation at the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event.

At Mobile World Congress, Intel announced more than 100 AI PCs in an array of designs from partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Dynabook, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG, Microsoft Surface, NEC, Panasonic, Samsung and VAIO. They’ll all have something new: the Intel vPro platform that extends the benefits of the AI PC to businesses of all sizes. These PCs will expand the current portfolio of AI PCs in market with new neural processing unit (NPU), graphics processing unit (GPU) and central processing unit (CPU) powered silicon that bring new AI experiences in productivity and creativity. Check out the full blog to learn more.

At Mobile World Congress, Lenovo introduced its latest generation of ThinkPad and ThinkBook business laptops, powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors and Windows 11. Whether it's collaborating with colleagues, meeting with customers, or analyzing data and creating content, these new laptops can speed up workflows with supported AI-enabled software tools. Learn more about Lenovo’s announcements.

At Mobile World Congress, Dell updated its portfolio with neural processing units (NPUs) built into its latest lineup of Windows 11 laptops and mobile workstations to accelerate AI processes. With these PCs and their AI-accelerated engines, businesses can collaborate more effectively, work more securely and create content faster. Learn more about Dell’s Mobile World Congress announcements.