Overview
- Flights through Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi were halted after strikes involving Iran, delaying thousands of delegates and prompting schedule changes for some institutions, including the cancellation of EU vice president Teresa Ribera’s appearance.
- King Felipe VI opened the congress with calls for restraint and a diplomatic solution to the Iran-related crisis, and urged companies to ensure AI development remains ethical and human‑centered.
- Qualcomm unveiled a cross‑industry alliance to accelerate 6G with commercial systems targeted from 2029, while the GSMA launched the Open Telco AI initiative to tailor artificial intelligence to operators’ needs.
- SpaceX said the next Starlink satellites launching next year aim to deliver direct‑to‑device data service, with Deutsche Telekom named as an initial European partner, as exhibitors showcased AI‑rich devices such as Honor’s Robot Phone and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 features.
- Protesters outside the venue denounced alleged human‑rights abuses and military links of some exhibitors; organizers reiterated an inclusive policy excluding only entities under international sanctions, with about 40 Israeli firms and a first Palestinian delegation present.