Forging a New Path for Artificial Intelligence in Telecommunications
At Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai in June 2025, GSMA and the Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance (AIIA) signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding, marking a significant step toward the global integration of artificial intelligence and telecommunications. This partnership is set to bridge the adoption and innovation of AI technologies across the telecom sector and beyond, reinforcing our commitment to collaborative international progress.
Founded in 2017, AIIA operates under the guidance of four key Chinese government bodies: the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Cyberspace Administration of China, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. With the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) as an initiator, AIIA has become a cornerstone of China’s AI ecosystem, representing over 1,100 member organizations, including leading companies, universities, and research institutions. AIIA continues to drive technological advancement and support policy implementation in the Chinese AI industry.
GSMA, a global leader in the mobile communications sector, brings together operators, ecosystem partners, and industry stakeholders to champion innovation and collaborative growth. Through flagship events like MWC and the M360 Series, GSMA convenes global expertise, encouraging technological development and ecosystem building. Our collaboration with AIIA ushers in a new phase of partnership, strengthening our international AI strategy and expanding the reach of AI in global telecommunications.
Our joint efforts will focus on advancing technology R&D, exploring new application scenarios, and building a robust commercial ecosystem. Together, GSMA and AIIA will share expertise in AI technologies, trends, and applications, facilitating knowledge exchange and mutual growth. We will collaborate on AI use cases, share results from pilot projects, and identify opportunities for joint innovation—driving the integration of AI across the telecom industry worldwide.
In China, the two parties will collaborate on exploring how AI large language models (LLMs) can empower vertical industries. From the perspective of telecom operators, they will conduct in-depth analyses of the best practices of LLMs across multiple sectors, including government affairs, customer service, industry, healthcare and education, culture and tourism, and urban governance, through the compilation of case studies. This effort not only highlights the remarkable application outcomes of LLM technology across diverse industries but also profoundly reveals the industry challenges, technical solutions, key innovations, and core values underlying these successful cases. It offers invaluable experience and profound insights for telecom operators and vertical industries worldwide.
Moreover, AIIA has agreed to join GSMA’s LabLink initiative, and both parties are actively exploring the feasibility of launching a worldwide challenge focused on how to empower key vertical industries with AI technologies.
By accelerating standardization and coordinated industry development, we aim to foster a globally connected and efficient AI ecosystem. This open, mutually beneficial platform will create new opportunities for digital transformation, supporting innovation across sectors.
Through this strategic alliance, GSMA and AIIA are committed to deepening cooperation in R&D, scenario exploration, and ecosystem development. By jointly building a global AI innovation ecosystem, we will energize the industry, enabling rapid adoption and internationalization of AI technologies. This partnership not only strengthens China’s influence in the global AI community but also sets the stage for transformative progress in telecommunications and related industries worldwide.