One of the most important technology events in the world, the Mobile World Congress (MWC), opens its doors today in Barcelona. For four days, until March 2, more than 300 Catalan companies and startups will participate in the MWC and 4YFN, the fair dedicated to entrepreneurship that is held in parallel to the congress.
More than 2,000 exhibitors, including mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, and content creators and sellers, gather for a new edition of this great industry showcase, which takes place once again at the Fira de Barcelona venue, in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. The Minister of Business and Labor, Roger Torrent i Ramió, emphasizes that "just as the MWC would not be understood without Barcelona, Barcelona would not be understood without the MWC". For Torrent, this fair is the great gateway connecting Catalan companies with the international technological environment.
More companies in the Generalitat's spaces
With the aim of promoting the presence of Catalan firms and betting on innovation, the Generalitat de Catalunya has provided spaces with their own stands at the MWC and 4YFN. This has allowed a hundred companies and emerging businesses to participate, 20% more than last year.
Specifically, 48 companies are located in the Generalitat pavilion at the MWC and 56 in the 4YFN pavilion, with the aim of finding investors, meeting partners and new clients, gaining visibility, and opening up to new markets worldwide. Apart from these hundred companies that access the international congress through the Government, there are 200 more Catalan companies that will also have their stand at the congress.
48 Catalan companies are located in the Generalitat pavilion at the MWC and 56 in the 4YFN pavilionIn this regard, the head of Business and Labor highlights that the MWC is "a great opportunity to continue shoring up the fact that Catalonia and Barcelona are truly a global technology and startup creation hub"
The Generalitat will also take advantage of this renowned fair to project its commitment to promoting artificial intelligence, one of the advanced digital technologies that will generate the most impact on society and the economy of the future.
Live AI demonstration
Under the slogan When artificial intelligence connects with people, the Generalitat stand will offer a daily live demonstration of how artificial intelligence (AI) applied to robots can facilitate people's lives in different environments. It will consist of a theatrical recreation in Catalan with audiovisual elements of scenes from the daily life of an elderly man and his daughter, who interact with three AI-equipped robots in their home, at work, and in a medical setting.
It is estimated that by 2030, AI will cause an additional increase of 15.7 trillion dollars in global GDP, but only those countries that have invested in its development will be able to take advantage of this impact. The Government wants to have its homework done, and that is why it is already working to deploy the Catalonia.AI Artificial Intelligence Strategy of Catalonia.
The strategy foresees a dual objective. On the one hand, to strengthen the Catalan AI ecosystem to turn it into a hub of innovation, leadership, and attraction of talent and investments; and on the other, to promote the adoption of this technology in the administration, the productive fabric, and research centers to improve the competitiveness of companies and people's lives.
The impact of MWC for Catalan companies
From the first year of the Mobile World Congress, in 2006, until now, the Generalitat has facilitated the participation of more than 300 Catalan companies in the event. Overall, these companies have doubled their turnover and increased their employment by 38% compared to the first time they participated in the fair.
Regarding 4YFN, ACCIÓ, the Agency for Business Competitiveness, of the Generalitat, has promoted since 2015 that 157 startups present their technological innovations at the event aimed at emerging companies. These startups have tripled their turnover and have raised more than 320 million euros since the first time they participated in the congress.
From the first year of the Mobile World Congress until now, the Generalitat has facilitated the participation of more than 300 Catalan companiesFramed within the renowned technology fair, ACCIÓ organizes the MWC Open Innovation Challenge, meetings that seek to connect Catalan and international companies with large corporations to foster open innovation. A total of 41 corporations participate, 16 Catalan (such as Agbar or Fluidra) and 25 international (such as AstraZeneca, Samsung, Sony or BMW), which will seek solutions to a hundred technological challenges.
On the other hand, on March 2, the last day of the congress, the conference titled Future Teachers, Teachers of the Future will take place, bringing together experts, teachers, students and creators, to discuss the future of teaching. The conference, which will include two presentations on technology and values and on the relationship between artificial intelligence and education, will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Josep Gonzàlez-Cambray, and by the CEO of GSMA, John Hoffman.
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