Telcos Go 'AI-Native' at MWC 2026
Major telecom players are using MWC 2026 to announce a strategic pivot to "AI-Native" infrastructure. SK Telecom's CEO unveiled a plan to overhaul its systems around AI, while other providers are embracing AI as the key driver for the next wave of technological transformation.
The pivot to "AI-Native" signifies a fundamental architectural shift, moving beyond simple automation to networks where AI is the core operating system. This approach enables predictive, self-healing systems that can anticipate network failures and optimize resources without human intervention, a transition from reactive fixes to proactive management. This transformation is heavily reliant on new silicon, with NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang positioning the AI-RAN (Radio Access Network) as a core component of future 6G networks expected around 2030. Companies like GIGABYTE are producing the rack-scale, liquid-cooled hardware platforms needed to handle the massive training and inference workloads that power these intelligent networks. For urban environments, this high-capacity, low-latency AI infrastructure is the foundation for creating sophisticated digital twins. These virtual city models integrate real-time data from mobility, energy, and building sensors, allowing planners to simulate the impact of new developments, test climate adaptation strategies, and optimize traffic flow with predictive modeling. The Dutch government is preparing for this shift through its Strategic Action Plan for AI and a new National AI Deltaplan, which emphasize building sovereign AI capabilities and investing in digital infrastructure to support smart city development. These initiatives aim to accelerate AI adoption and avoid strategic dependence on non-European technology providers. At the municipal level, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) is actively shaping AI implementation. The VNG has published an AI Governance framework to guide responsible use and is supporting the development of GPT-NL, a Dutch-language model, to ensure public sector AI tools are transparent and align with local values. This convergence allows planning to evolve from static blueprints to dynamic systems. Planners can leverage AI-driven platforms to analyze complex spatial data, making evidence-based decisions on housing density, circular construction material flows, and the decarbonization of the building sector more efficiently.
