In a keynote address at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Hong Beom-sik, the CEO of LG U+, highlighted the pivotal role of voice in enhancing human connection through the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). He pointed out that despite numerous technological innovations, the experience of making phone calls has remained largely unchanged, becoming uncomfortable over time, and expressed his intention to redefine voice as an essential interface for connecting people. This marks the first time an LG U+ executive has been a keynote speaker at this significant event.

The rise of voice interfaces has been facilitated by the proliferation of AI agents that act similarly to personal assistants, leading to the accelerated development of various AI devices, such as smart glasses, which go beyond traditional smartphones. These wearable devices are challenging to operate via text input alone, prompting a need for voice commands to manage complex tasks. Hong remarked that as we enter an era filled with devices like smart glasses and AI agents, voice will emerge as the central medium for interaction.

To advance this vision, LG U+ plans to evolve its AI calling app, 'Exio', into an AI call agent named 'Exio Pro'. This upgraded version will comprehensively understand user data regarding calls, texts, and schedules, allowing it to suggest context-specific information proactively. LG U+ aims to strengthen voice-based interfaces to enable users to seamlessly integrate AI into their lives, whether at home, at work, or on the go, without location limitations.