The strategic collaboration between Qualcomm Technologies and Aramco Digital is set to advance industrial IoT solutions across Saudi Arabia. Announced at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, this partnership aims at leveraging Qualcomm’s hardware capabilities with Aramco Digital’s 450 MHz 5G network to develop and commercialize edge AI technologies. This joint venture intends to support the digital transformation initiatives in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
One of the key aspects of the partnership is focusing on several critical industrial applications. Predictive maintenance, asset monitoring, visual anomaly detection, and digital worker tools are some areas poised for innovations. These technologies promise enhanced efficiency, productivity, and safety in industrial operations.
Incorporating edge AI allows the deployment, management, and real-time updates of AI models directly on edge devices. These devices, connected via Aramco Digital’s private 5G network, include drones, cameras, sensors, and various robust industrial equipment.
Cristiano Amon, president and CEO of Qualcomm, emphasized, “This collaboration with Aramco Digital highlights our shared commitment to advancing edge AI and 5G innovation.” The collaboration integrates Qualcomm’s strengths in on-device AI, wireless technology, and energy-efficient computing with Aramco Digital’s industrial expertise.
Nabil Al Nuiam, CEO of Aramco Digital, also stressed the importance of this collaboration as a step forward in evolving the Kingdom’s digital landscape. By adopting cutting-edge AI and 5G technologies, Aramco aims to enhance industrial systems’ intelligence, efficiency, and safety.
The initiative known as “Design in Saudi Arabia” is another significant endeavor under this partnership. This accelerator program will support AI and IoT startups focusing on industrial innovation and digital transformation. The initiative involves Qualcomm, Aramco Digital, and the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA), aiming to offer technical support, business coaching, and intellectual property guidance to emerging startups.
