As the tech world converges on the newly opened Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel next week, the GSMA’s flagship event in North America promises to redefine the landscape of enterprise technology with a razor-sharp focus on business outcomes, bringing together industry leaders for high-level networking. This annual gathering has undergone a significant transformation, shifting its lens from a broad consumer audience to the specific needs of C-suite executives and senior decision-makers. Held in a $3.7 billion venue that opened in 2023, the conference is poised to create an atmosphere of actionable dialogue. With the Town Square serving as a vibrant hub for speaker stages and dynamic interactions, attendees can anticipate an environment tailored for collaboration. GSMA CMO Lara Dewar has emphasized that the event is meticulously designed to address the evolving demands of North American enterprises, ensuring that every conversation translates into real-world impact for industries ranging from aviation to healthcare.
The agenda is built around three pivotal themes—Connected Industries, AI+, and Connected Enablers—that highlight the intersection of mobile technology and economic growth. With projections estimating mobile tech’s contribution to global GDP at $11 trillion, the stakes for enterprise innovation have never been higher. This isn’t merely a showcase of cutting-edge gadgets but a platform where industry leaders can explore practical applications of 5G, artificial intelligence, and foundational technologies. A powerhouse lineup of speakers, including CTIA President & CEO Ajit Pai and Verizon Business CEO Kyle Malady, will set the tone with keynotes that delve into connectivity and transformation. For those unable to attend in person, live and free streaming of key sessions via Mobile World Live ensures global access to these critical insights, amplifying the event’s reach and influence across the tech ecosystem.
Enterprise Innovation at the Core
Transforming Sectors with 5G
The spotlight on Connected Industries reveals how mobile technologies, particularly 5G, are driving sweeping changes across sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. A key highlight is the Smart Aviation Summit, where Mike Youngs, Vice President of Information Technology at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, will share insights on leveraging telecom advancements to enhance airport security and streamline passenger flow. The adoption of private 5G networks stands out as a game-changer, offering customized connectivity solutions that meet the stringent demands of high-reliability environments. As industries pivot toward digital transformation, the ability to harness low-latency, secure data exchange becomes paramount. This focus on real-world applications underscores the event’s commitment to delivering strategies that business leaders can implement immediately, ensuring that technological progress aligns directly with operational efficiency and sector-specific needs.
Beyond aviation, the theme of Connected Industries extends to other critical areas like government and healthcare, where mobile solutions are redefining service delivery and operational models. Lara Dewar has pointed out the necessity for CIOs to build flexible, cloud-native infrastructures that support seamless integration of AI and connectivity. This approach not only addresses current challenges but also positions organizations to adapt to future disruptions. Private 5G networks are increasingly seen as strategic assets, enabling new business models that prioritize performance and reliability. For instance, in logistics, tailored connectivity can optimize supply chain tracking, while in healthcare, it can enhance telemedicine capabilities. The event’s emphasis on cross-industry learning ensures that attendees gain a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies can be adapted to diverse contexts, fostering innovation that transcends traditional boundaries.
Bridging Technology and Business Outcomes
Another dimension of Connected Industries is the push toward creating ecosystems where mobile operators and enterprises collaborate to solve complex challenges. The event’s curated summits, such as Connected Government & Defense, aim to address specific pain points with targeted solutions, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors. Discussions will focus on how 5G can support mission-critical applications, from secure communications in defense to real-time data processing in public services. This collaborative spirit is a cornerstone of the conference, reflecting a shared recognition that interconnected systems are vital for sustainable growth. By providing a platform for these conversations, the event facilitates partnerships that can drive long-term impact, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for economic and societal advancement across North America and beyond.
The economic implications of these transformations are profound, with mobile technologies poised to reshape entire industries through enhanced connectivity. Sessions at the conference will explore case studies that demonstrate tangible benefits, such as reduced operational costs and improved service delivery in high-stakes environments. Leaders from diverse fields will share best practices, offering a roadmap for others to follow. Dewar’s vision of turning technical innovation into measurable results is evident in the agenda’s focus on actionable outcomes. Attendees can expect to leave with a clearer understanding of how to integrate 5G into their strategic planning, aligning technological investments with business goals. This practical approach ensures that the event remains a vital resource for decision-makers seeking to navigate the complexities of digital transformation in an increasingly connected world.
AI as a Game-Changer
From Experiment to Deployment
Artificial intelligence emerges as a transformative force under the AI+ theme, with a clear shift from experimental projects to scalable deployments that redefine enterprise productivity. Industry pioneers like Box Inc. CTO Ben Kus and Qualcomm CIO Atilla Tinic are set to deliver practical playbooks for CIOs looking to integrate agentic and generative AI into their IT architectures. This transition marks a critical juncture where businesses can harness AI to automate processes, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation at scale. Lara Dewar has expressed enthusiasm for witnessing how these technical advancements translate into real-world impact, positioning AI as a central pillar of enterprise strategy. The event’s focus on implementation over theory ensures that attendees receive concrete guidance on overcoming deployment challenges, making AI a tangible asset rather than a distant promise for organizational growth.
The significance of AI+ extends to its role in reshaping workforce dynamics and operational efficiency across industries. Sessions will delve into how generative AI can streamline content creation and data analysis, while agentic AI empowers systems to act autonomously in complex environments. This dual focus offers a comprehensive view of AI’s potential, addressing both creative and analytical needs within enterprises. Speakers will share insights on mitigating risks such as data privacy concerns and algorithmic bias, ensuring that AI adoption aligns with ethical standards. By providing a platform for these discussions, the event equips business leaders with the knowledge to balance innovation with responsibility. This emphasis on practical strategies highlights the conference’s role as a catalyst for turning AI’s potential into measurable success, fostering environments where technology enhances rather than disrupts core business functions.
Scaling AI for Strategic Impact
Beyond deployment, the AI+ theme also explores how organizations can scale AI initiatives to achieve long-term strategic goals. Discussions will center on building robust infrastructures that support AI integration, from cloud-based systems to edge computing solutions that reduce latency. Industry leaders will present case studies illustrating how scalable AI has transformed customer engagement and operational workflows, offering replicable models for attendees to adapt. The Gen AI Summit, a key component of the agenda, will dive into specific applications, providing a deep understanding of how generative tools can drive innovation in product development and marketing. This focus on scalability ensures that AI is not seen as a one-off solution but as a foundational element of future-ready enterprises, capable of evolving with market demands and technological advancements.
Moreover, the economic impact of AI adoption will be a recurring topic, with sessions highlighting how investments in AI correlate with increased productivity and competitive advantage. Speakers from firms like Deloitte Global AI Institute will address the financial considerations of scaling AI, offering insights into cost-benefit analyses and return on investment metrics. This analytical approach helps demystify the fiscal implications of AI, enabling decision-makers to make informed choices about resource allocation. The event’s commitment to bridging technical and business perspectives ensures that AI discussions remain grounded in practicality, avoiding overhyped narratives in favor of evidence-based strategies. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of how to position AI as a driver of growth, aligning technological capabilities with overarching corporate objectives in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Building the Foundation for Transformation
The Tech Backbone of Enterprise Shifts
Under the theme of Connected Enablers, the focus shifts to the essential technologies that underpin enterprise transformation, including APIs, edge computing, and network programmability. Mobile operators are positioned as critical players in delivering resilient networks that support these advancements, with their role in global economic growth highlighted by Dewar’s projection of an $11 trillion contribution to GDP. Leaders from IBM and Serve Robotics will share expertise on intelligent automation, demonstrating how these foundational elements enable future-ready operations. The emphasis on security and automation reflects a broader understanding that robust infrastructure is necessary to sustain the rapid pace of digital change. By showcasing how these technologies work in tandem, the event provides a holistic view of the systems that make connectivity and AI viable on a large scale, ensuring that businesses can adapt to emerging challenges with agility.
A deeper exploration of Connected Enablers reveals the importance of collaboration between tech providers and enterprises to scale solutions effectively. Sessions will highlight how APIs facilitate seamless integration across platforms, while edge computing addresses the need for real-time data processing in distributed environments. This technical synergy is vital for industries requiring high performance, such as logistics and smart cities, where delays can have significant consequences. The event’s agenda includes practical examples of how automation can reduce operational overhead, drawing from real-world implementations by leading firms. This focus on enabling technologies underscores their role as the backbone of digital ecosystems, providing the stability and flexibility needed to support ambitious transformation initiatives. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to leverage these tools to build resilient, adaptable systems that drive long-term success.
Empowering Industries Through Connectivity
The Connected Enablers theme also emphasizes the strategic importance of connectivity in empowering industries to meet modern demands. Discussions will cover how 5G and private networks provide the bandwidth and reliability required for mission-critical applications, from autonomous vehicles to remote healthcare services. Industry summits will explore specific use cases, illustrating how operators and tech partners collaborate to deliver customized solutions that address unique sectoral challenges. This tailored approach ensures that connectivity is not a one-size-fits-all proposition but a strategic asset that can be fine-tuned to maximize impact. By facilitating dialogue between stakeholders, the event fosters partnerships that enhance network capabilities, ensuring that connectivity remains a cornerstone of enterprise innovation in an increasingly interconnected world.
Furthermore, the role of security within Connected Enablers cannot be overstated, as enterprises navigate the risks associated with expanded digital footprints. Sessions will address how robust cybersecurity frameworks, integrated into network architectures, protect against evolving threats while maintaining operational continuity. Insights from industry leaders will provide actionable steps for implementing secure systems that support automation and data exchange without compromising integrity. This dual focus on connectivity and protection highlights the event’s comprehensive approach to enabling technologies, ensuring that attendees are equipped to balance innovation with risk management. The discussions held at the conference underscore the necessity of resilient infrastructure, leaving a lasting impression on how foundational technologies shape the trajectory of enterprise growth and set the stage for future advancements.
