Qualcomm Develops 40 AI Devices as CEO Says Agents Will Replace Apps
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 16
Qualcomm Develops 40 AI Devices as CEO Says Agents Will Replace Apps
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jun 16
Summary
More than 40 AI device designs are in development at Qualcomm, spanning wearables such as jewelry, camera-equipped earbuds, pins and watches built to keep an AI agent constantly available.
Amon said those agents will increasingly handle tasks across services—such as pulling bank transaction details—shifting users away from opening apps manually and making the phone less central to digital life.
Smart glasses are a key bet: Amon said shipments already run in the multiple tens of millions annually and could reach the hundreds of millions within a couple of years.
That shift could reshape competition for Apple, Samsung and new entrants, as AI companies chase hardware endpoints and the much larger streams of user data those devices can collect.
Qualcomm is already reworking its chip roadmap for smaller, always-on gadgets, arguing current devices are not built for an agent-centered future.
With giants like Qualcomm and OpenAI entering hardware, who will win the race to define our digital future?
As AI wearables constantly watch and listen, who will ultimately control our most personal data?
Qualcomm’s 2026 Vision: 40+ AI Devices Usher in the Agent Era and Redefine Digital Life
Overview
In June 2026, Qualcomm is leading a major shift in technology by introducing the 'Agent Era,' where AI agents move beyond simple digital assistants to become proactive, context-aware helpers that can reason, plan, and execute complex tasks across devices. This marks a move away from the traditional app-based experience, as users interact with technology through intelligent agents that understand intent and act without step-by-step instructions. Qualcomm’s vision is to make these AI agents a constant presence in daily life, promising a more intuitive and seamless digital experience that could drive one of the largest upgrade cycles in the industry.