The World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival (WAICF) (13-15 February 2025) is a key event for the global AI community, bringing together innovative start-ups, investors, and major industry players to showcase new trends and ideas. This year, 6G-XR was proud to participate, with Markus Muck, Chair of the ETSI Board and Senior Principal Engineer at Intel Corporation, delivering a compelling keynote on the Future Standards for AI.

The Importance of Standards in AI Development

One of the key takeaways from WAICF 2025 was the crucial role of standards in ensuring interoperability and market access for AI technologies. As AI-driven solutions continue to evolve, the need for open and well-defined Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) becomes more apparent. These standards facilitate seamless integration across different platforms and technologies, fostering a more dynamic and competitive AI ecosystem.

Markus Muck emphasized that for start-ups and innovators in the AI and XR/VR space, understanding standards is vital. Standards not only define how interoperability can be achieved but also play a significant role in shaping regulatory compliance. This is particularly relevant in the European context, where legislation such as the EU AI Act outlines strict requirements for AI deployment.

Encouraging Active Participation in Standards Development

At WAICF, Markus also highlighted the importance of active engagement in defining market access requirements through standards development. Instead of merely complying with existing regulations, start-ups and industry players have the opportunity to shape these standards themselves. By contributing to standardization efforts, companies can influence the technical landscape and ensure that new innovations align with regulatory expectations from the outset.

6G-XR: A Role Model for Collaboration

During his presentation, Markus underscored how 6G-XR serves as an exemplary initiative in this regard. The project brings together start-ups, major industry leaders, academics, and regulatory bodies to collaboratively define the future of Extended Reality (XR) and AI-powered applications. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that cutting-edge ideas from the XR/VR world are developed in alignment with industry standards and regulatory requirements, ultimately fostering a more robust and interoperable ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

As AI and XR technologies continue to evolve, participation in standardization efforts will be essential for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of market access and regulatory frameworks. Events like WAICF 2025 underscore the need for an open and collaborative ecosystem where innovators and industry leaders work together to establish a robust foundation for the future of AI and XR. The 6G-XR community remains committed to advancing these discussions and driving the development of cutting-edge AI and XR solutions within a well-defined and standardized framework.