Qualcomm has placed 6G and AI on the same roadmap. At its recent leadership event in San Diego, executives described a future network built for intelligence, sensing and richer connectivity.
The company sees 6G as more than a faster successor to 5G. It expects the standard to support AI-native networks. These networks would use AI to improve performance, manage traffic and support new device categories.
Durga Malladi framed the shift as a deep technology merger. “AI is becoming the center of action and you [will] build the devices around it and the protocols around it, not the other way around,” said Malladi.
This vision could reshape personal connectivity. Smartphones may no longer act as the only digital hub. AI glasses, pins, pucks and wearables could join the daily device mix. Each device may collect context, process requests and communicate with other agents.
Hemanth Sampath described that change directly. “We believe that, in the AI era, people are going to carry multiple, personal AI devices beyond the smartphone,” said Qualcomm VP of Engineering Hemanth Sampath.
Yet this model will stress mobile networks. AI agents may need longer data sessions than human users. They may also send more data upstream. Livestreaming, visual assistants and “see what I see” services could increase demand sharply.
Sampath suggested that 50GB per month may look modest soon. A personal AI assistant could use about 45GB each month. Half of that may travel in the uplink direction. Current 5G cells may struggle with that usage pattern.
Therefore, spectrum becomes central to the 6G debate. Ajit Pai, president and CEO of CTIA, warned that future demand needs wider planning. “To meet consumer and AI demand, we’re going to need a lot more spectrum,” Pai said.
Pai pointed to future auctions in 2.7GHz and 7GHz bands. He also highlighted the 4GHz band as highly important. Midband spectrum offers both useful coverage and better capacity. That balance matters for national 6G deployments.
However, spectrum planning moves slowly. Regulators must study bands, protect incumbents and set rules. Vendors also need time to design equipment. Operators then need capital and construction schedules.
Standards remain another sensitive area. Qualcomm expects first 6G specifications through 3GPP Release 21. The company also expects early commercialization around 2029. Global alignment remains critical for roaming and device scale.
China’s role will remain significant. Qualcomm executives said the company stays engaged with China’s technology ecosystem. They also downplayed fears of standards fragmentation. “We are very confident there’s going to be a global standard for 6G,” said Lorenzo Casaccia.
Licensing will also evolve with new devices. Lower-cost AI wearables may generate different royalty levels than smartphones. Still, Qualcomm expects its model to adjust with market pricing.
For telecom engineers and operators, the message is clear. 6G will not only chase speed. It will need stronger uplink performance, smarter networks and practical spectrum policy. The AI era could make mobile networks more valuable, but also far more demanding.
