WSA 2026 

Program Overview

The program for WSA 2026 will feature keynote talks, technical sessions, poster presentations, and networking opportunities across the events.

Chair: Marc Martinez-Gost, Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), Spain

Date: Tuesday 6, 15:40 - 16:10

Panelists: 

• Emil Björnson, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
• Petar Popovski, Aalborg University, Denmark
• Àngel Lozano, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
• Xavier Mestre. CTTC, Spain

AI is rapidly transforming not only the technologies we develop, but also the way research itself is conducted. In the LLM era, AI is becoming an increasingly integrated part of the research workflow, from learning and formulating research questions to analyzing results and writing scientific papers.

This panel will discuss the current state and future directions of research in an increasingly AI-assisted scientific environment. Going beyond the use of AI for optimizing wireless systems, the discussion will examine how AI may change the way researchers investigate scientific questions.

Topics for discussion will include:

• AI and education: How will AI change the way students learn and develop scientific intuition?
• The research process: How can AI assist the formulation of research questions, experimentation, and analysis?
• The role of the researcher: Which skills will become more important as AI takes over an increasing number of research tasks? What remains uniquely human in the research process?
• Scientific writing: How should researchers use AI-assisted writing while preserving originality, scientific rigor, transparency and responsibility?
• Research quality: Will AI accelerate scientific discovery or lead to a loss of independent thinking?
• The future of engineering research: What will research in wireless communications look like when AI becomes an integral part of the research environment?

The panel will bring together different perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and open questions surrounding AI-assisted research. Particular attention will be given to researchers at the beginning of their academic careers, who are likely to experience the greatest changes in how research is conducted.

Thanks to the support of a final sponsor, participation in the panel is free of charge for students. We particularly encourage Master’s students and first-year PhD students to attend and join the discussion. The panel will provide an opportunity to reflect on how AI may shape their research careers, as well as to discuss practical and fundamental questions about becoming a researcher in the AI era.

For detailed information about the speakers and sessions, click here. To view the WSA 2026 program, click here.

Social Programme

The WSA 2026 social programme offers time to continue discussions beyond the technical sessions, meet fellow participants and discover Barcelona together.

Discover Historic Sants

Monday, 5 October · 18:30–19:45
Meeting point: Bloc4BCN

Explore the history and character of Sants through a theatrical walking tour led by Artixoc. Discover the neighbourhood’s industrial heritage and local stories in an engaging format that brings its past to life. The tour will run in two simultaneous groups, followed by the welcome cocktail.

Welcome Cocktail at Bonavista Rooftop

Monday, 5 October · 19:45–21:15
Venue: Bonavista Rooftop at Moxy Barcelona

Join us at Bonavista Rooftop for an informal evening with fellow researchers, speakers and industry participants. The welcome cocktail provides an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new contacts and continue the conversations started during the first day of the workshop.

Guided Walk through Montjuïc

Tuesday, 6 October · 18:45–20:15
Meeting point: Torres Venecianes, Plaça d’Espanya — Google Maps

Discover the architecture, history and surroundings of Montjuïc on a guided walking tour in English. Participants will explore the area in two groups, with the route ending at Tapas Cañota for the gala dinner.

For participants travelling from Bloc4BCN, the organisers will coordinate a group journey by public transport, departing at 18:15.

Gala Dinner at Tapas Cañota

Tuesday, 6 October · From 20:15
Venue: Casa de Tapas Cañota, Carrer de Lleida, 7, Barcelona
View location on Google Maps

Following the Montjuïc tour, join us at Tapas Cañota for an evening of food and conversation. The gala dinner is an opportunity to strengthen connections across the WSA community and enjoy the workshop’s main social gathering.

Participation

Please confirm your participation in each activity at the registration desk. Places are limited, particularly for the gala dinner. Comfortable shoes are recommended for both walking tours.