Qualcomm Develops 40-Plus AI Gadgets as CEO Says Agents Will Become the New App
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 19
Qualcomm Develops 40-Plus AI Gadgets as CEO Says Agents Will Become the New App
2 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jun 19
Summary
More than 40 AI device designs are underway at Qualcomm, with CEO Cristiano Amon framing AI agents as the core interface that will handle tasks across multiple apps.
Smart glasses are his clearest bet: Amon said future wearables should stay with users constantly, see the surrounding world for context and let them talk directly to an agent.
Qualcomm is also exploring jewelry, camera-equipped earbuds, pins and watches, reflecting a push toward always-on devices built around agentic AI rather than the smartphone alone.
Amon said apps are "not dead" but will change as stronger AI models finally make digital assistants more capable, though broader adoption will still hinge on balancing privacy with functionality.
The vision points to a potential reshaping of consumer hardware beyond phones, a market that shipped more than 1.2 billion smartphones last year and is still dominated by Apple and Samsung.
Could smart glasses and agentic AI really replace the smartphone as our primary tech, or will privacy and adoption hurdles prove too great?
As Qualcomm and rivals race to launch agentic devices, which company is best positioned to dominate this new era—and what could stop them?
With AI agents poised to orchestrate daily tasks and see the world around us, how will our definition of privacy and trust in technology be transformed?
From Smartphones to AI Agents: Qualcomm’s Roadmap for 40+ Next-Gen Devices and the Future of Human-Machine Interaction
Overview
Qualcomm is undergoing a major strategic shift, led by CEO Cristiano Amon, to prepare for the future of computing. The company is moving beyond traditional smartphones, focusing on developing over 40 new AI-powered devices like smart glasses and wearables. These devices will serve as continuous access points for advanced AI agents, changing how users interact with technology. By integrating AI agents directly into everyday devices, Qualcomm aims to create an agent-centric experience that generates rich, contextual data. This approach is set to redefine user engagement and position Qualcomm at the forefront of the next wave of intelligent computing.