Qualcomm CEO: 6G will power an agent-centric AI era

Speaking at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said 2026 will mark a shift from smartphone-centered apps to AI "agents" that work across a user’s devices and services. Instead of tapping individual apps, people would rely on autonomous AI systems that observe, interpret, and act on their behalf, drawing on data from multiple connected products.

Amon linked this change to the development of 6G networks, arguing that the next generation of wireless infrastructure will need to support these constant, agent-driven interactions. In his view, 6G will provide the capacity and responsiveness required for AI agents to operate continuously in the background, coordinating tasks and services rather than waiting for direct user input.