Orange CEO: Telcos must architect trust in the AI era

Orange Group CEO Christel Heydemann used her MWC 2026 keynote to argue that telecom operators need to move beyond selling connectivity and take on a larger role as “trust architects” in an AI-driven world. She said artificial intelligence is becoming the “operating layer” of society, and that networks sit so close to users and data that operators have a responsibility to act as the “active shield of the digital world.”

Heydemann’s message was that telcos must build and run networks that people can rely on, not just for bandwidth, but for security, privacy, and integrity of data flowing through AI systems. As AI embeds deeper into daily life and critical infrastructure, she suggested operators will be judged less on speed and price, and more on how well they protect users and uphold trust.