MWC25: Accenture Shares how Telcos are Integrating AI
Accenture has positioned AI as the cornerstone of its MWC Barcelona 2025 presence, emphasising practical implementation across the telecommunications sector.
Francesco Venturini, Senior Managing Director at Accenture, disclosed in an interview that the consultancy published a World Economic Forum (WEF) collaboration examining AI's specific applications within telecommunications infrastructure.
“The report was extremely well received,” says Francesco, adding that “AI is a big area of focus,” as he highlights how it has dominated their presence throughout the event.
“We have three key domains: AI network, both on the deployment side and on the operation side; AI and the impact of AI in customer experience - so how to rethink care, marketing and sales in the age of AI; but also maybe less on the front end, the role of AI in accelerating software engineering and software lifecycle.”
He adds: “Those are the big three areas where we have interesting demos and we got a lot of attention from our clients.”
Focusing on AI deployment models
When addressing how Accenture enables clients to operationalise AI capabilities within telecommunications environments, Francesco outlines an implementation framework that addresses both technical and organisational considerations.
“It does this in multiple ways,” he shares. “Our consulting heritage helps us to rethink processes and operating models to leverage automation that is driven by AI.
“The second dimension involves understanding the complexity of the technology and what enterprise AI architecture actually looks like - whether it should be in the cloud or on-prem - and what the security concerns are.”
Change management also forms a critical part of Accenture’s AI strategy, with Francesco explaining that the company is focused on responsible and ethical adoption of AI, alongside developing workforce capabilities.
“This area is sometimes underestimated, but it is about how you build the right talent and skills when he comes to AI,” he explains. “We need to recognise that we are not the generation that was born with AI and probably is going to take a number of years before we see the first generation that has gone through school and university during the time of AI.
“Building talent and skills becomes a fundamental component of driving adoption of AI technology.”
A telco transition
Francesco, a fifteen-time Mobile World Congress attendee, observes that telecommunications providers function as both implementers and enablers within the AI ecosystem.
When asked about the biggest opportunity for telcos under pressure to monetise, Francesco reflects on the industry's current position, saying: “If you pay attention at MWC this year, I think the atmosphere is positive and I would say almost borderline optimistic for the industry.
“We're coming out of the last few years, which were a bit complex for telcos.”
“Building talent and skills becomes a fundamental component of driving adoption of AI technology.”
He adds: “Telcos are adopters - I don’t think there are many industries that are ahead in the adoption of AI, they are moving from a pilot stage and proof-of-concept to a scaled deployment of AI.
“What’s equally important is also the role of telcos in driving AI adoption. They, as providers of critical connectivity and of critical AI infrastructure for data centres, are going to become more important.
“Their dual role is the adoption of AI in their own operations, but also using the assets they have to drive broader adoption of AI for the broader economy and large enterprises.”
Charting an industry revolution with MWC
Francesco recognises that Mobile World Congress has evolved in parallel with the telecommunications industry, with discussions now centring on the operational integration of AI, rather than just adopting for the sake of it.
“The conversation has moved towards the role of technology,” he explains. “Now, it is now a lot more about the business implications of technology adoption and not just adoption for the sake of adoption.
“This is becoming more than a telco trade show - telco will remain the glue, but most of the connectivity solutions and the advanced and intelligent solutions on display are relevant for other industries.
“This keeps telco central in a much broader ecosystem.”
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