The AI agent ecosystem is set to displace the smartphone as the central hub of personal technology, according to Cristiano Amon, president and CEO of Qualcomm, who made the claim during a keynote address on March 3, 2026.
Amon said that today’s devices — including smartwatches, earbuds, and smart glasses — all extend the functionality of the smartphone. However, he stated that this model is changing as AI agents become capable of understanding human intentions across future mobile devices.
AI Agent Ecosystem to Connect All Devices
Amon stated that the AI agent ecosystem will sit at the centre of a new device architecture. “The agent will be at the centre and all the devices will connect to it. They don’t only respond to you, they observe, they interpret and they act,” he said.
He added that artificial intelligence is changing computers and user experiences. As a result, he argued that a new generation of wireless technology must be designed specifically for this shift.
6G Positioned as the Wireless Technology for the AI Era
Amon said that 6G carries a specific mission: to serve as the wireless technology for the age of AI. He stated that changes to the air interface will be required to support AI infrastructure across all environments.
He outlined three building blocks for this transition: connectivity, computing, and sensing. These elements, he said, will together support the shift toward an AI-centred mobile architecture.
“AI is changing computers and is changing our experiences, and we need a generation of wireless technology that is specifically designed for this shift to AI. The agent becomes the centre and will require data in real-time, with context and continuous awareness of the surrounding environment.”
Cristiano Amon, President and CEO, Qualcomm
Sensing Infrastructure as a Key 6G Feature
Amon said that AI sensory systems deployed across environments and applications represent one of the most significant changes ahead. He stated that AI enabled across an entire network will trigger a range of new services built on sensing infrastructure.
This sensing capability, he said, will be a defining feature of 6G and a key enabler of services that do not yet exist. The telecommunications industry, he suggested, must prepare its infrastructure accordingly.
Future Outlook for Mobile and AI Convergence
Qualcomm’s position reflects a broader industry debate about the long-term role of the smartphone. As artificial intelligence capabilities expand, device makers and network operators face pressure to rethink how connectivity, computing, and sensing work together.
Amon’s remarks suggest that Qualcomm views 6G not merely as a faster network, but as a foundational layer for an AI-driven device ecosystem. The company has not provided a timeline for when this transition is expected to reach consumers.