Qualcomm’s CEO says AI agents will be the new app, and 40 new devices are coming

What happened

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced that AI agents will replace traditional apps as the core way people interact with digital services. He explained that agents will shift users away from the conventional phone-centric app model toward more intelligent software that acts autonomously. Qualcomm plans to release 40 new devices that leverage this shift in user interface powered by AI agents.

Why it matters

This signals a major change for the mobile and software industries. The device in your pocket will no longer be the sole hub of your digital life, shifting some control to AI-driven agents that can operate across devices and platforms. Developers and businesses must rethink app design and deployment, focusing on agent-based experiences that can deliver personalized, context-aware services without requiring manual input.

Qualcomm’s push to embed AI agents into a new wave of hardware also pressures hardware manufacturers to integrate more AI compute capabilities. Expect competition to tighten around enabling seamless, fast AI responses as these agents become the main interface for user tasks. For investors, this bets on a future where device sales increasingly depend on AI capabilities, not just raw hardware specs.

What to watch next

Monitor how Qualcomm’s 40 upcoming devices incorporate AI agents and whether they change user expectations for apps and device usage. Watch how software platforms adapt to support agent interaction, including integration with AI models, APIs, and user data privacy measures. Competitors’ responses will also shape whether agents become the new standard or remain niche.

Finally, track developer tool evolution to see if creating AI agents becomes as straightforward as building traditional apps, which will decide the pace of this transition in ecosystems beyond Qualcomm’s reach.

AI Quick Briefs Editorial Desk