Qualcomm is establishing a dedicated AI and IoT Edge development center in the UAE, marking a strategic investment to boost the region’s technology ecosystem. The new facility will focus on low-latency, high-efficiency edge AI solutions critical for real-time applications such as autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, and industrial automation.
This initiative aligns closely with the UAE government’s digital economy strategy, which emphasizes AI, IoT, 5G connectivity, and smart city projects as pillars for economic diversification and innovation. Qualcomm plans to collaborate with local universities, technology partners, and government agencies to foster innovation and develop tailored AI and IoT applications suited for Middle Eastern market needs.
Leveraging Qualcomm’s leading AI chipsets and IoT platforms, the center aims to produce scalable solutions addressing regional challenges while nurturing talent development through knowledge transfer and skill-building in AI and IoT.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is rapidly growing as a market for smart infrastructure, digital health, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Qualcomm’s investment reinforces its global leadership in AI and IoT while supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a regional innovation hub by 2031.
The center will support advancements in AI-driven smart city infrastructure, including smart traffic management, public safety, and energy-efficient buildings, as well as connected solutions for oil & gas, logistics, and manufacturing sectors.
A Qualcomm Technologies executive noted that the UAE’s commitment to AI and IoT innovation makes it an ideal location for expanding the company’s footprint, enabling next-generation smart connected devices through cutting-edge silicon and software.
This move is part of a broader global trend where edge computing plays a crucial role in reducing latency, enhancing data privacy, and efficiently processing growing data volumes locally rather than relying solely on centralized cloud infrastructure.
