Mobile World Congress
Dubai Aims at Becoming a Global Benchmark for Smart Cities
Reporting from Barcelona, Spain: Dubai has set itself the objective of becoming the benchmark for smart cities not only for emerging markets but also globally. This is with an approach that focuses on the happiness of its citizens rather than merely being the “most connected” city or the city with the most data.
“Our vision is to make our city the happiest city on earth,” said Aisha Butti bin Bishr, the director general of Smart Dubai, which was first launched in 2014. “We have been constantly committed to impacting people’s happiness in every way… the technology is only a means to an end. Our end goal is people’s happiness.”
The city has launched “happiness meters”, for example, to measure how citizens respond to new services and solutions and to understand their current levels of satisfaction and future needs. During her keynote session on Wednesday, the executive also pointed to Dubai’s partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the first city to trial the ITU key performance indicators for smart sustainable cities.
The KPIs focus on the elements of a smart city that rely on information and communication technologies (ICT), offering a measure of progress relevant to ICT aspects of urban-development master plans. Bin Bishr told the audience that when the Smart Dubai team first sought examples of what other countries and cities had done, they realised that nothing yet existed on the scale of what Dubai wished to achieve.
“The UN informed us that there was no city that had smart initiatives included across all dimensions,” she said. “We then partnered with the [ITU] to create a bespoke roadmap for services and initiatives for smart city implementation across six dimensions: economy, living, people, environment, government, and mobility.” The ITU is now carefully tracking the progress of Smart Dubai, “to use Dubai as a benchmark for smart city implementation across the globe,” Bin Bishr said.
Bob Moritz, global chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), praised Dubai for the leadership it has taken globally in driving the creation of smart cities. He also stressed the importance of educating people not only to create the right skills, but also to ensure that they are aware of, and are capable of adopting, the services and technology that are available to them. “That is absolutely fundamental,” Moritz said.

Artificial Intelligence
Huawei Heralds Dawn of Mobile AI Era at MWC 2025

Huawei concluded its successful participation at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, where the company unveiled groundbreaking solutions aimed at accelerating the transition toward an intelligent world. Throughout the event, Huawei emphasized how the convergence of 5G-Advanced and AI technologies creates unprecedented opportunities for carriers to transform into technology companies (techcos) and continuously create new value.
5G-Advanced and AI: Powering the Mobile AI Era
At the Mobile AI Network Summit on the sidelines of MWC, Huawei Chief Strategic Architect Dang Wenshuan highlighted how 5G-Advanced is essential for unlocking new business value in the mobile AI era. Networks are rapidly evolving to support 10 times faster uplink speeds and 10 dB better coverage with 10 times higher spectral efficiency, establishing a robust foundation for universal AI accessibility. Meanwhile, AI is revolutionizing networks by increasing operations and maintenance (O&M) efficiency by 30%, reducing energy consumption by 20%, and enabling service assurance rates exceeding 90%.
Industry experts from Ookla, Omdia, ABI, Zhipu AI, and SHARGE confirmed that the rapid advancement of large language models drives the mobile AI boom. The increasing adoption of AI phones, smart glasses, and other intelligent devices enhances multimodal interaction capabilities, underscoring the importance of reliable real-time mobile connections and setting the stage for significant increases in network data traffic.

Dang Wenshuan, Huawei’s Chief Strategy Architect, speaking at the summit
Transforming Carriers into Techcos with the “Five Ones” Model
James Chen, President of Huawei Carrier Business, introduced the “Five Ones” capability model designed to facilitate carriers’ transformation into techcos. This comprehensive approach helps reshape business models, O&M practices, and infrastructure to enable carriers to seize transformation opportunities and continuously create value.
The Five Ones model includes a differentiated experience monetization model, a home AI service entry supporting multimodal interaction, a one-stop cloud platform for B2B services, a telecom foundation model introducing general AI agents and digital twins, and a synergetic architecture enabling all-element collaboration across networking, storage, cloud, and computing resources.
More than 35 carriers worldwide have already adopted experience monetization models, while carriers in China and South Korea have launched AI-powered home hubs that seamlessly connect to various smart home devices through multimodal interaction.
Innovative ICT Services & Software Solutions
Bruce Xun, President of Huawei Global Technical Service, unveiled five innovative ICT Services and Software solutions designed to accelerate digital intelligence. These solutions address critical industry challenges, from equipment center office modernization to intelligent operations for mobile broadband cross-domain service continuity. By integrating AI Copilot, AI Agent, and Digital Twin Network (DTN) capabilities into operational processes, Huawei enables efficient human-machine collaboration that creates tangible business value for carriers.
At Huawei’s Digital Economy Development Forum, David Wang, Director of the Board and Chairman of the ICT Infrastructure Managing Board, outlined five ways ICT infrastructure can drive digital economy development. Wang emphasized that a thriving digital economy requires solid digital infrastructure, accelerated digital transformation across industries, future-oriented industry policies, extensive digital talent development, and open, collaborative ecosystems. The forum brought together policymakers, industry association leaders, and experts to discuss strategies for high-quality development of the global digital economy.
He Bo, President of Huawei Data Center Facility & Critical Power Product Line, introduced the “Single SitePower” architecture and the RASTM guideline for AI data center construction. These innovations help operators thrive as energy prosumers and build better ICT facilities in the AI era. The Single SitePower architecture implements bidirectional interaction of power and information flows, while the RASTM guideline addresses the reliability, agility, and sustainability challenges AI data centers face.
As commercial 5G-Advanced deployment accelerates in 2025, Huawei continues to work actively with carriers and partners worldwide to reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M, paving the way toward an intelligent world.
Artificial Intelligence
OPPO Announces Enhanced AI Strategy at MWC25

Today at the OPPO AI Tech Summit during MWC2025, OPPO announced its enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, aiming to position itself as a leader in AI experiences by providing comprehensive, secure, and continuously evolving AI solutions. As AI applications progress, OPPO is advancing from functional-level to system-level AI, necessitating deeper AI integration and security on devices. By integrating Google AI experiences across its smartphones, OPPO is set to launch capabilities that allow Google Gemini to act within native OPPO apps like Notes, Calendar, and Clock. These advancements will complement existing support for Gemini 1.5 Pro and Gemini 1.5 Flash on OPPO AI Phones, unlocking unprecedented levels of performance and responsiveness. The collaboration aims to bring Gemini 2.0 to OPPO Phones soon, aligning with the UAE’s vision for technological advancement as outlined in the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.

illy Zhang, President of Overseas Marketing, Sales and Services at OPPO
“When it comes to AI, the user experience is ultimately all that matters,” said Billy Zhang, President of Overseas Marketing, Sales and Services at OPPO. “Smartphones are not just a vehicle for AI – they are the engines that power the best possible AI experiences. As a global leader in smartphones with a strong presence in the UAE, OPPO is driving in-house innovation and open collaboration with industry partners to bring our users these unparalleled AI experiences that reflect the multicultural and technologically advanced nature of the region.”
To ensure user security and privacy when accessing these AI features, OPPO will implement Private Computing Cloud (PCC) with Confidential Computing from Google Cloud. Starting with AI Recording Summary, features like AI Search, AI Studio, and AI Call Summary will be integrated with OPPO Private Computing Cloud this year, a framework particularly relevant for UAE consumers who prioritize data protection and privacy in digital interactions.
“We are excited to collaborate with OPPO to shape the future of mobile AI by bringing together Google technologies with OPPO’s exceptional hardware and software,” said Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director for Global Solution and Consumer AI, Google Cloud. “Through our extensive partnership spanning apps, AI models and cloud solutions, we are unlocking immense potential to redefine the mobile AI experience.”
Under its latest AI strategy, OPPO is focusing on AI Productivity, AI Creativity, and AI Imaging to offer meaningful features that will make AI indispensable in the UAE’s fast-paced environment. This strategy is underpinned by comprehensive AI R&D, covering the entire AI ecosystem from chips to devices to the cloud. OPPO is collaborating with MediaTek to optimize chips for high-efficiency, real-time AI processing, balancing powerful performance with energy efficiency.

Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director for Global Solution and Consumer AI, Google Cloud
Will Chen, Deputy General Manager of the Wireless Business Group at MediaTek said, “The partnership between MediaTek and OPPO is set to unlock new opportunities in AI. From AI-enhanced photography to next-generation gaming experiences, from intelligent security solutions to seamless device connectivity, the possibilities are limitless.”
On the device side, AI technologies such as LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation), Parallel Decoding Solution, and MoE (Mixture of Experts) are significantly enhancing AI capabilities on OPPO devices. On the cloud, OPPO has built a robust data security protection system that operates across both devices and the cloud.
With the continuous development of AI technology, OPPO is evolving its approach to redefine how AI enhances everyday experiences. Having surpassed its goal of reaching 50 million users last year, OPPO now aims to double that number, focusing on the Middle Eastern markets and expecting nearly 100 million users by the end of 2025. To meet growing demand, OPPO will deliver an average of one new AI update per month. New AI innovations, including AI Search and the integration of OPPO applications with Google Gemini, are coming to the OPPO Find N5 soon.
Additionally, AI Call Translator, which interprets calls in multiple languages in real time, and AI VoiceScribe, offering multi-use voice summarization across voice calls, online learning, and meetings, are set to launch on OPPO devices via future updates. These innovations present valuable tools for the UAE’s diverse, multilingual business community.
At MWC2025, OPPO’s AI features and AI phones, including the Find N5, Reno13 series, and Find X8 series, are showcased by leading partners such as Google, MediaTek, and Qualcomm. OPPO continues to strengthen its presence in the UAE with dedicated customer service centers in key locations, ensuring local consumers receive prompt support for their AI-powered devices. Through deep technical research, continuous user experience enhancements, and collaboration with global and UAE-based partners, OPPO is committed to leading AI innovations that align with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation.
Artificial Intelligence
HONOR Throws the Spotlight on AI in Smart Devices at MWC 2024

At MWC Barcelona 2024, George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co., Ltd., took the stage with industry leaders for a thought-provoking panel discussion. The session, titled “Putting Humans First in AI Development: Key Considerations for Creating AI for Smart Devices,” also featured John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd., and Alex Katouzia, Group GM of MCX, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Together, they underscored the significance of crafting AI devices that champion an intuitive, human-centric experience while ensuring user privacy.
“We believe AI will reconstruct the operation system and rebuild our future smartphone experience. HONOR will advance our AI strategy by integrating it across MagicOS and all HONOR devices, ensuring a human-centric experience that delights our users with every interaction,” Zhao stated, emphasizing HONOR’s commitment to developing AI devices designed with human needs at the core.
HONOR’s expertise in on-device AI is demonstrated through the launch of MagicOS 8.0 at MWC, which fully integrated platform-level AI and the industry’s first intent-based user interface (IUI). MagicOS 8.0 also boasts Magic Portal, an intent-based shortcut recommendation feature that lets users seamlessly switch and access services between apps with a single drag. It supports 100 major apps globally.
HONOR also partnered with Qualcomm to demonstrate the use of open-source Llama 2 on the new HONOR Magic6 Pro, showcasing the power of on-device AI even for offline use. HONOR is pioneering an open ecosystem, inviting global partners such as Qualcomm and GSMA to join forces. “By fostering open collaboration, we’re creating on-device AI experiences for the benefit of consumers,” Zhao remarked.
“We want to make it easy for people to develop and innovate on top of our platforms,” said Katouzian. “Cooperation and openness are great for the industry, so Qualcomm’s cooperation with our partners is key. We believe that innovation and technology will make our partnerships stronger. As long as we can continue to innovate and cooperate with our partners, our potential is truly boundless.”
John Hoffman added, “AI is poised to revolutionize everything, and we are excited to see companies like HONOR and Qualcomm leveraging on-device AI technology to innovate smart devices, empowering people’s lives. GSMA, in collaboration with HONOR, has also unveiled the “6G Terminal Vision” whitepaper, outlining a grand vision for the development of 6G terminals in the AI era and charting the course for future industry advancements.”
According to Zhao, the current wave of AI breakthroughs is unprecedented in history and will profoundly affect smart devices. HONOR’s strategic focus is to bring AI to MagicOS, introducing the industry’s first intent-based UI (IUI), incorporating a new kernel, new UI, and an interconnected ecosystem empowered by AI to devices from smartphones to PCs, providing users with a cross-device, cross-application, and cross-ecosystem experience.
“Platform-level AI and LLMs enable HONOR to seamlessly blend AI devices such as AI PCs and AI smartphones into users’ daily lives, understanding their intent and anticipating their needs,” Zhao shared. He added that the more consumers engage with these devices, the more tailored and helpful the experience becomes.
Alex also noted the ongoing shift of AI processing from the cloud to personal devices, including smartphones and PCs. “With better quantization or shrinking of the models, and working hand-in-hand with our partners such as HONOR and other industry partners such as the OS vendors, we will be able to take that [cloud AI] capability and data and move more of that onto the device. The growth potential for on-device AI is virtually limitless.”
“AI cannot exist without a foundation of security,” Zhao declared, highlighting HONOR’s PFAST principle in AI development—Privacy, Fairness and Justice, Accountability, Security and Reliability, Transparency and Controllability. “We call upon the industry to collaborate on AI governance to ensure the privacy and security of individuals,” Zhao urged. The HONOR MagicGuard technology and obtained privacy certifications, such as the ePrivacySeal, are key initiatives in this endeavour.
Driven by the rapid advancements in AI, 6G will bring exciting possibilities but also complex challenges. HONOR and GSMA have released a “6G Terminal Vision” whitepaper at MWC. Developed with contributing partners China Unicom, China Mobile, China Telecom, Du, Telstra and Inmarsat, this forward-looking document outlines the vision for a human-centric intelligent world shaped by the transformative capabilities of 6G and AI.
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