Qualcomm is placing a decisive bet on a future where artificial intelligence agents, not apps, define the next era of computing.
Speaking at global industry events including Computex 2026, Chief Executive Officer Cristiano Amon outlined a shift that could mark the end of the smartphone’s dominance as the central hub of digital life. In its place, Amon envisions autonomous AI agents operating seamlessly across devices, reshaping how users interact with technology.
From App Economy to Agent Ecosystem
For more than a decade, smartphones have revolved around apps. Users tap, scroll, and switch between platforms to complete tasks. Amon argues that model is nearing its limit.
In the emerging paradigm, AI agents will act on behalf of users. Rather than opening multiple apps, individuals will issue a simple request. The agent will interpret intent, execute actions, and coordinate across services without direct input.
These systems are expected to operate persistently in the background, learning user behavior and anticipating needs. Unlike today’s reactive assistants, agentic AI introduces proactive computing, capable of booking travel, managing schedules, controlling smart environments, and summarizing information without continuous prompts.
Amon describes this transition as a fundamental upgrade in computing, driven by advances in on-device AI processing that prioritize speed, privacy, and energy efficiency.
Qualcomm Positions for the Shift
The company is actively building the infrastructure required for this transformation. Qualcomm is working on dozens of AI-powered device designs that extend beyond smartphones, including wearables, smart glasses, and new ambient computing form factors.
Central to this vision is distributed intelligence. Instead of relying solely on cloud systems, AI workloads will be shared across connected devices, creating what Amon calls a personalized computing environment centered on the user.
By 2028, he expects meaningful digital workloads to migrate away from traditional smartphones toward this network of AI-first devices.
Industry Implications
The rise of AI agents signals a major disruption across the technology sector. App developers, operating system providers, and hardware manufacturers will need to adapt to a model where AI orchestrates user experiences rather than interfaces.
For consumers, the shift promises a more intuitive and personalized digital experience. Tasks become automated, interactions simplified, and technology more ambient.
However, the transition also raises critical questions. Continuous AI operation introduces new challenges in privacy, security, and power management. As agents gain autonomy, ensuring trust and control will become central concerns.
Amon’s message is unambiguous. The transition is not theoretical but imminent. As AI agents evolve from assistants into decision-making systems, 2026 may mark the tipping point where the app era gives way to a more intelligent and invisible computing layer.
Qualcomm is positioning itself at the center of that transformation, betting that the future of technology will not be something users open, but something that works quietly on their behalf.