Qualcomm CEO: AI agents will replace apps, company is advancing over 40 AI wearable device designs

``` Artificial intelligence is reshaping the underlying logic of consumer electronics. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon stated that AI agents will become the core of next-generation digital interaction, replacing existing applications. In an interview with CNBC, Amon pointed out that as AI agents become widespread, smartphones will no longer be the center of digital life. Instead, new hardware forms such as wearable devices and smart glasses will be reconstructed around AI agents. Qualcomm is currently advancing the design of more than 40 wearable AI devices. These wearable tech devices include jewelry, headsets with cameras, brooches, and watches. Amon said: "The core principle is: it’s something you wear, accompanying you everywhere at all times; it can see the world around you to obtain contextual information; and it enables you to connect with and talk to the agent at any time." He projects that shipments of smart glasses could leap from the current "tens of millions" to "hundreds of millions" within a few years, possibly matching the scale of smartphones. This perspective presents a direct challenge to mainstream smartphone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung. According to a previous Wallstreetcn article, Apple may release new AirPods with built-in AI vision camera and its first smart glasses by the end of 2027. AI Agents Replace Apps, Phones No Longer the Center Amon believes that digital assistants such as Siri and Google Gemini are evolving into far more powerful AI agents. AI agents can perform complex tasks across apps and services, such as automatically booking travel or instantly retrieving bank transaction records, eliminating the need for users to manually browse through apps. Amon said: "Apps are not dead, but apps will change. Those agents will become the new apps." In his depiction of the future, the role of the smartphone will shift from core to supporting: "The phone exists around the agent, and new categories of devices will also exist around the agent. The agent will be the center that understands human intentions and gets things done for people." Smart Glasses Have the Scale Potential to Rival Smartphones Amon takes a clearly optimistic stance on the smart glasses category, believing their scale potential is sufficient to rival smartphones. He revealed that the current annual global shipment of smart glasses has reached the "tens of millions" level, and predicts that in the "next few years" it could rise to "hundreds of millions." By contrast, according to Counterpoint Research data, global smartphone shipments will be about 1.26 billion units in 2025, an increase of about 3% year-on-year. The new types of wearable devices described by Amon include jewelry, headsets with cameras, brooches, and smart watches — all featuring the traits of "wearable, able to perceive the surrounding world, and equipped with real-time access to the agent." Currently, companies such as Meta, Samsung, and Apple are actively developing smart glass products with built-in cameras. AI Companies Seize Hardware Entry Points The transformation of device forms is attracting a group of non-traditional hardware companies to enter the market. Amon pointed out that AI companies know they must win these wearable devices, which serve as "endpoint nodes" for AI agents; this is the core motivation for them to get involved in consumer hardware. Last year, OpenAI acquired hardware startup io, founded by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive, officially announcing its entry into the consumer device market. Beyond the competition to control entry points, data is another important driving force. Amon stated that the amount of data collected by these wearable devices will "exponentially" surpass the current scale used to train AI models. "These companies want to acquire data because it is critical for training future models," he said. It also helps create a "customized" AI experience for users. The evolution of hardware toward smaller sizes puts higher demands on chips—requiring greater computing power and lower energy consumption in compact packages. Amon said that Qualcomm is systematically upgrading its entire product line of chip roadmaps. "Our entire product roadmap is currently under an upgrade process, because I think none of the devices we have today are ready for the future." Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market involves risks, and investment requires caution. This article does not constitute individual investment advice, nor does it take into account the special investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of specific users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their particular situation. Investing based on this article is at your own risk. ```