Qualcomm CEO Cristiano R. Amon Unveils AI Everywhere Strategy at Web Summit
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano R. Amon presented the AI Everywhere strategy at Web Summit 2026, detailing how agent-centric computing, personal AI devices, edge AI, and 6G networks will reshape technology and human interaction across industries.
- 1AI is becoming the new user interface, replacing traditional apps with agent-centric computing that understands human intentions through voice, gestures, and context.
- 2Edge computing is the strategic battleground — Qualcomm believes whoever controls the edge has the highest chance of winning the AI race.
- 3Qualcomm is building an open AI ecosystem spanning mobile, automotive, robotics, and industrial applications, with 6G networks purpose-built for AI-driven experiences.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano R. Amon presented the AI Everywhere strategy at Web Summit 2026, detailing how agent-centric computing, personal AI devices, edge AI, and 6G networks will reshape technology and human interaction across industries.
The Core Development
Qualcomm is engineering an AI Everywhere ecosystem where artificial intelligence becomes the primary user interface for all computing devices, replacing traditional apps with agent-centric experiences that understand human intentions through voice, gestures, and context.
At the 2026 Web Summit, Cristiano R. Amon unveiled Qualcomm's strategy to position AI agents at the center of digital life. Historically, computing progressed from command-line interfaces to graphical interfaces, then to touchscreens. Now, AI enables what Qualcomm calls the "Ecosystem of You" - a network of personal AI devices (smartphones, smart glasses, earbuds, watches) connected through intelligent agents that coordinate tasks like booking transportation, managing payments, and delivering real-time contextual assistance.
"The computer knows how to interact with us, changing everything, from architecture to operating systems and applications." - Cristiano R. Amon
Critically, Qualcomm is betting on edge computing as the strategic differentiator. Rather than processing AI entirely in the cloud, Qualcomm's processors handle tasks locally on-device, enabling:
- Faster responses
- Enhanced privacy
- Seamless integration across physical and digital environments
Why It Matters to Retailers
Qualcomm's AI Everywhere strategy has direct implications for the retail industry:
- Agent-centric commerce: AI agents replacing traditional apps means consumers will interact with brands through conversational AI rather than browsing storefronts. Retailers must optimize for agentic commerce or risk losing visibility.
- Smart glasses and AR payments: Qualcomm highlighted AR-enabled payment solutions already launching in markets like India, creating new checkout-free retail experiences.
- Edge AI for personalization: On-device AI processing enables real-time, privacy-preserving personalization without sending customer data to the cloud - a competitive advantage for retailers navigating data privacy regulations.
- 6G-powered retail environments: Next-generation connectivity will enable context-aware sensing in physical stores, from heart rate monitoring for wellness retailers to facial recognition for loyalty programs.
- Robotics and supply chain: AI-trained robots learning complex warehouse tasks in months will accelerate fulfillment automation across the industry.
Technical Specifications
Edge Computing Architecture:
- On-device AI processing via Qualcomm Snapdragon processors
- Hybrid cloud-edge model for latency-sensitive applications
- Privacy-preserving local data processing
Personal AI Device Ecosystem:
- Smartphones as central hub for AI agent coordination
- Smart glasses with AR overlay and payment capabilities
- AI-powered earbuds and wearables with contextual awareness
- Cross-device agent synchronization in real time
6G Network Capabilities (in development):
- Ultra-fast, low-latency connectivity purpose-built for AI workloads
- Context-aware environmental sensing via AI-enabled radios
- Heart rate monitoring, spatial awareness, and biometric detection
Industrial and Automotive AI:
- BMW partnership for AI-driven autonomous driving systems
- Robotics platforms that learn complex tasks within months
- Predictive maintenance and computer vision for manufacturing
Strategic Takeaways
- The edge is the new battleground. Cristiano stated that "whoever controls the edge has a higher chance of winning the AI race." Retailers investing in edge AI infrastructure now will have a structural advantage in personalization and speed.
- Apps are dying - agents are the future. The shift from app-centric to agent-centric computing means retail brands need to build AI agent-compatible experiences, not just mobile apps.
- Open ecosystems win. Qualcomm's commitment to open AI platforms - "We never had a philosophy that innovation belongs to one company" - signals that interoperability and developer collaboration will define the next era of retail technology.
- 6G will reshape physical retail. Context-aware sensing and ultra-low-latency AI will transform in-store experiences from passive browsing to intelligent, responsive environments.
- Privacy-first AI is a competitive moat. Edge computing's ability to process data locally, without cloud dependency, positions retailers to deliver personalization while complying with increasingly strict data regulations.
