Qualcomm has entered into a strategic partnership with UAE telecommunications provider e& to advance the development of AI and industrial internet of things (IIoT) technologies, which are rapidly gaining importance in the communications sector. This collaboration aims to spur technological progress and commercialization in areas such as 5G and edge artificial intelligence (AI), alongside plans to establish a global engineering center in Abu Dhabi.
This partnership is intended to facilitate digital transformation across government, enterprise, and industrial sectors, contributing positively to vital components of the UAE’s economy.
Qualcomm and e& will focus on several collaborative projects, including the development of industrial and enterprise 5G edge AI gateways. These initiatives are designed to enable key vertical sectors to implement AI capabilities and other advanced technologies at the network edge, thereby improving efficiency, connectivity, and overall performance.
Additionally, they will be working on edge AI devices, which include everything from PCs to extended reality devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms. The integration of large language models will support on-device generative AI features and enhance security-focused AI processing from edge to cloud for enterprise and governmental applications. The partnership will also cover smart mobility and safety services aimed at enhancing safety and user experiences.
Hatem Dowidar, the group CEO of e&, stated, “This agreement propels the digital transformation of enterprises and significantly boosts the UAE’s position within the global technology landscape. Together, we are bringing powerful AI to the edge through smart industrial gateways and wearables, enhancing mobility and infrastructure. These advancements will enable quicker, more secure experiences across sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, and government, driving real-time intelligence, operational efficiency, and future-ready public services throughout the UAE.”
To support its collaboration with e&, Qualcomm plans to leverage its newly created engineering center to explore new use cases aimed at accelerating the adoption of 5G and edge AI across sectors like energy, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and smart mobility.
The engineering center in Abu Dhabi will play a crucial role within Qualcomm’s Global Engineering hubs, focusing on pioneering technology in IIoT, AI, and data center services to address the increasing demand for high-performance connectivity, energy-efficient computing, and intelligence locally and globally.
This facility will also partner with local and international companies to contribute to strategic initiatives in the region. It aims to enhance Qualcomm’s global engineering expertise to produce products and services tailored for key industries such as energy, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and smart mobility—essential components for economic development.
Qualcomm’s president and CEO Cristiano Amon remarked, “This new engineering center will focus on creating top-tier AI and industrial IoT solutions while nurturing local talent and promoting job creation. We are eager to collaborate with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the UAE to grow their technology ecosystem.”
Badr Al-Olama, director general of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, commented, “Abu Dhabi is establishing the foundation for future industries through world-class research capabilities, integrated infrastructure, and the ability to attract highly skilled talent. The Qualcomm Engineering Centre in Abu Dhabi is set to introduce technological innovations in IoT, AI, and data infrastructure, serving crucial sectors and facilitating complex solutions worldwide in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s exceptional ecosystem.”