Huawei Hosts the 4th Digital Economy Development Forum at MWC Barcelona 2026

Huawei Hosts the 4th Digital Economy Development Forum

In an event marked by innovation and collaboration, Huawei hosted the 4th Digital Economy Development Forum at MWC Barcelona 2026. This prominent gathering brought together approximately 100 digital strategy executives, experts, and industry representatives from across various regions including Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The forum served as a platform to explore new opportunities for the advancement of the digital economy in the age of AI.

Opening Address by David Wang

The event commenced with a keynote speech from David Wang, Huawei's Executive Director of the Board. Wang emphasized the forum's theme, "From Vision to Value for a Smart Future," discussing key topics such as policy, infrastructures, and talent management. His insights reflected the rapid growth of AI globally, noting that AI agents are playing increasingly critical roles in various sectors. Furthermore, Wang highlighted IDC’s projection that by 2030, AI could contribute approximately $22.3 trillion to the global economy, indicating a significant shift from traditional measures of the digital economy which focused on connectivity and data. Now, the focus is shifting towards AI and decision-making processes that shape the global economic landscape.

Wang identified three crucial areas that need our attention to ensure that global digital economies can thrive. Firstly, he advocated for industrial policies that fully support the digital economy while promoting synergetic developments between digital and real economies. Secondly, he argued that future-oriented infrastructures are essential for the expansive application of digital technologies across various industries. Finally, he noted the importance of developing a multi-layered and sustainable talent ecosystem as a strategic pillar necessary for the long-term success of the digital economy.

At the conclusion of his address, Wang proclaimed, "The era of AI has arrived. And Huawei will continue to work alongside everyone to enable the development of smart industries and build a solid foundation for the intelligent world. Together, we will turn vision into value and shape our smart future."

The Role of Digital Infrastructure

During the event, discussions also centered on the future of digital infrastructure. Joyce Liu, Huawei's Director of ICT Marketing Operations, stressed that such infrastructures form the backbone of industrial development in the AI era. She called for advancements across various fronts, including networks, energy, and computational capacity. Liu pointed out the urgent need for low-latency network connections—around milliseconds—to prevent informational silos that could impede AI progress. In addition, she urged for expedited development of green data centers to enhance computational power while minimizing carbon emissions.

Insights from Academia

Professor Rong Ke from Tsinghua University shared his insights on the criticality of data as a production factor in the AI age. He stressed that maximizing the value of data requires enhancing the entire process of data generation, transmission, storage, and application. His remarks resonated with the forum participants, who reached a consensus on several key topics concerning the development of the digital economy. Countries at different stages of digital economic development must tailor their AI strategies and implementation plans to their unique contexts to effectively foster intelligent transformation.

A Platform for Innovation

Since its inception in 2023, the Huawei Digital Economy Development Forum has steadily established itself as a premier communication platform focused on innovation and collaboration for shared global success.

MWC Barcelona 2026 is scheduled from March 2 to March 5 in Barcelona, Spain. Huawei will present its latest products and solutions at booth 1H50 in Fira Gran Via, Pavilion 1. More information is available at Huawei's official site.