Qualcomm strengthens partnerships to drive AI revolution

AI is a buzzword for every industry right now. How is Qualcomm addressing this demand, particularly in countries like India and Vietnam?

The AI revolution is sweeping the globe, and Vietnam is no exception. Since generative AI emerged as a key trend a few years ago, its application and awareness have grown exponentially. Vietnam, with its youthful population, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, is primed for significant growth opportunities in AI. These digital natives possess savvy digital knowledge and are naturally inclined towards new technologies.

ST Liew, vice president of Qualcomm

According to reports from McKinsey and others, by 2030, around40 per cent of Vietnam's consumption will be driven by digital natives born between 1980 and 2012. Qualcomm, a pioneer in communication, computing, and AI, is well-positioned to lead this evolution. We have been investing in AI research and development for over 15 years, accumulating extensive experience and knowledge. This positions us perfectly to drive the AI revolution, especially in AI on devices, which we call "AI at the Edge".

We have launched our new silicon-on-chip, the Snapdragon X Elite, specifically designed for the PC industry. This innovation brings AI capabilities directly onto devices, including PCs. We've already integrated AI into smartphones, automotive applications, XR, VR, and many other devices.

Now, we're extending this to PCs, which we believe will rejuvenate the industry. The PC has remained relatively unchanged for the past 20-30 years, but AI is revitalising it. Qualcomm is playing a crucial role with the introduction of the Snapdragon X Elite.

We are collaborating with key industry partners, including Microsoft and leading PC original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. This is just the first step, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to drive the AI revolution forward. There are numerous technologies behind the Snapdragon X Elite that we will explore further, but the key takeaway is that AI is breathing new life into the PC industry, and Qualcomm is at the forefront of this transformation.

What positive trends do you see in the PC market, specifically for the Vietnamese market?

The Vietnamese market is exceptionally vibrant, particularly with its digital natives. There is a tremendous yearning and hunger to learn here. AI initiatives and activities are increasing significantly throughout Southeast Asia, and Vietnam is one of the most progressive countries in the region. This makes it an excellent market for PCs with AI capabilities.

Qualcomm is currently the only solution powering the Microsoft Copilot Plus AI PCs. Just late July, we launched the first Copilot Plus PC using the Snapdragon X Elite with Asus.

The potential in Vietnam is tremendous, and Qualcomm has had a presence in the country for over 20 years. We've been working with many partners and companies in Vietnam on various initiatives, demonstrating our long-term commitment to the market.

To tap into this growth potential, Qualcomm is partnering with Asus. What are your expectations for this partnership, and what are upcoming potential partnerships or collaborations that Qualcomm is exploring?

We innovate and launch platforms like the Snapdragon X Elite and collaborate with innovative companies like Asus to turn these solutions into consumer devices. On July 30, the Asus Vivobook S15, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, was officially launched in Vietnam. It features our latest Orion CPU, a 12-core processor offering the highest performance and best power efficiency on the market. This means that at the same power consumption, our CPU outperforms competitors.

The Asus device is a 15.6-inch model with an OLED display, combining a thin and light design with an exceptional stereo sound system certified by Harman Kardon with the multidimensional sound of Dolby Atmos®. This powerful combination ensures the PC performs exceptionally well. At the end of the day, the consumer needs a PC that has strong internal components and delivers an excellent user experience.

Working closely with OEMs like Asus is essential to deliver both hardware and software excellence to the consumer. This partnership allows us to ensure that the product meets high standards and offers a seamless user experience. It's crucial to collaborate with the right partners in the PC industry and across other product lines to bring the best solutions to the market.

AI represents a transformational shift, impacting nearly every industry and aspect of our lives. It touches everything from enterprises to consumers, and the influence of AI is ubiquitous. At Qualcomm, we consider AI foundational to our work, particularly in edge devices like PCs and smartphones.

For instance, at Computex in early June, we announced 22 different Copilot+ PCsfrom globally recognised brands featuring our Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus. This new chipset is designed to offer superior performance and efficiency, providing users with the longest battery life available in the market. Users can watch videos up to 60 per cent longer and enjoy 70 per cent more streaming time compared to competitor devices, highlighting our commitment to delivering top-tier technology.

Our smartphones also benefit significantly from AI functionalities. We currently have more than 16 models incorporating advanced AI features, ensuring that our mobile solutions remain at the forefront of innovation.

In Vietnam, we actively collaborate with numerous partners such as VinAI, Viettel IDC, BKAV, and VNPT. We have established a robust presence with engineering teams in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on supporting local AI initiatives. The Vietnamese government is keen on leveraging AI to transform the country, building on the Make-in-Vietnam initiative, which has evolved into a focus on innovation and technology.

Projections indicate that Vietnam's AI industry could grow to a $3.4 billion market, with a compound annual growth rate of around 28 per cent from now to 2030. Qualcomm is dedicated to contributing to this growth and is eager to continue working with partners to support AI development in Vietnam.

Our comprehensive approach includes not just hardware but also software and ecosystem support, ensuring that AI can drive significant advancements across various sectors in Vietnam. We believe that with our cutting-edge technology and deep partnerships, we can play a crucial role in Vietnam’s AI evolution.

In the age of AI, security remains concerned. How does Qualcomm ensure security and privacy for its AI services?

Qualcomm takes security and privacy very seriously. We maintain stringent management of data, adhering to both international regulations and our internal standards. Our data management processes are constantly audited, and we perform regular checks and inspections to identify potential breaches. We follow stringent protocols to ensure the integrity of our data management and comply with various international standards.

From a solutions perspective, our chipsets are equipped with secure boot, authentication, and encryption features. These elements are integral to maintaining a high level of security. For example, our collaboration with Microsoft Copilot Plus leverages these secure chipsets to ensure robust data protection.

Our approach involves bringing AI to the edge, meaning much of the AI processing happens directly on the device - whether it's a PC or a smartphone. This localised processing ensures that a significant amount of data remains on the device, adding an extra layer of security and privacy for the user.

We are particularly proud of our ability to perform AI processing at the edge. This is not only efficient but also enhances privacy, as not all data needs to be sent to the cloud. Edge processing ensures that data is handled securely on the device itself, reducing exposure to potential breaches.

Our neural processing unit, with its 45 tera operations per second capability, exemplifies world-class performance in AI on the edge, allowing for efficient and powerful AI applications. This combination of robust security measures and cutting-edge technology positions Qualcomm as a leader in secure AI solutions.

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