In another sign of Spain edging back to something resembling normality, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) made its return to Barcelona after its COVID-19 enforced its suspension last year.

The MWC, as it's more commonly known, is the world's largest showcase for the mobile industry. The likes of Samsung, Nokia, and Sony use the event to announce their new tech products.

But it was the announcement that the accessibility of 5G technology is leading to advancements in healthcare and Artificial Intelligence that captured attention.  Tech start-up Neuroelectrics explained how it is using AI to help treat patients remotely.

Ana Maiques, CEO of the Barcelona-based company, told CGTN, "We can inject currents into the brain (through a cap) that have a potentially amazing therapeutic effect. We have shown that you can reduce seizures in children suffering from epilepsy who don't respond to medication."

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Prestigious event

Such is the prestige of MWC that both Spain's King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attended its inaugural dinner. Addressing business leaders at the dinner, the King praised the vital role mobile connectivity had during the national lockdown.

"I would like to acknowledge publicly and applaud and thanks the role played by mobile connectivity, not only in the professional sphere but also in the private sphere, helping and accompanying older people, people in hospital and those who were alone, keeping them in touch with their families during the lockdown," he said.

Blueprint for future events

However, with the shadow of the pandemic still looming large, MWC 2021 is a very different experience from previous years. Firstly, it is a hybrid event, a mix of in-person and virtual showcases.

The number of attendees is significantly lower this year. Fewer than a third of the 100,000 visitors it welcomed in 2019 are expected this year. Also, attendees must hold a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours before their visit and have to wear FFP2 face masks.

Despite these safety measures, many big names, including Facebook, Sony, Oracle, and Nokia, have pulled out, citing the safety of their employees. Another factor may be that people have got used to the idea of attending big conferences remotely and prefer "attending" large-scale events like the MWC virtually.  

It's thought MWC 2021, being split between physical, virtual, and hybrid activities, will provide a blueprint for future large-scale business conferences. Nevertheless, more than 30,000 visitors from 143 countries are set to attend the three-day event.

Spain's Secretary of State for Digitization and Artificial Intelligence, Carme Artigas, described MWC 2021 as "the starting shot for us to relaunch our economy's growth."