Embodied AI Forum: Leading a New Paradigm of AI Development

On 3rd march 2026, John Higgins chaired a panel discussion at MWC 2026 in Barcelona on the industrial opportunities and challenges of embodied AI. Emanuela Girardi, the President of Europe’s AI, Data and Robotics Association (ADRA); Intel’s VP of Regulatory Affairs, Jayne Stancavage; Mr Liu Dong Director of China’s Future Internet Engineering Center and Mr Chris Qu Chief Solutions Architect for AI+ Alibaba Cloud engaged in an enlightening discussion. Mr Qu gave some good examples of embodied AI in practice but all agreed the “ChatGPT moment” for embodied AI was still some years away. There was good support for IAGA’s aim of coherence in global governance for AI, including embodied AI in its various forms. Panellists noted the higher safety and security requirements for embodied AI meant that good governance was particularly important in this field.

Global Industry Organisations Roundtable

Rob Wortham represented the International AI Governance Association at the 17th GIO roundtable, which took place alongside MWC in Barcelona on 3rd March 2026.

Rob spoke about the need for AI Governance to be seen not only as a response to risk, but also as an opportunity for organisations to scale AI innovation and to work effectively with partners in the value chain.

Rob also announced some of the recent work of the association. This includes a white paper providing a model for operationalisation of transparency obligations: The Challenge of AI Transparency: A Layered Framework and Practical Design Principle, and an industry report on cybersecurity maturity amid permanent exposure - standards-based, end-to-end assurance and governance anchors derived from leading digital technology providers: Cybersecurity Governance in the Intelligence Era.

The GIO Forum facilitates open and equal communication, conversation and collaboration platform among international industry organisations, with a vision to collaborate for digital economy growth, building a better intelligent world. The forum facilitates discussion on the architecture, path, and pace of digital transformation of various industries to achieve a common and unified understanding.