Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Qualcomm is working with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to develop sixth-generation (6G) wireless technologies, with commercial deployment targeted for 2029, according to Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm’s president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Speaking during LEAP 2026, Chourbaji said the partnership aims to help position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of 6G, a technology expected to integrate artificial intelligence into network design and operations from the outset.

Qualcomm is also expanding its partnership with HUMAIN, a PIF-backed Saudi AI company, across AI data centers and edge computing. The collaboration includes deploying Qualcomm’s Dragonfly AI200 and AI250 chips, with plans to introduce the AI300 later on.

The two companies previously announced a collaboration targeting 200 megawatts of AI data center capacity, supporting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build sovereign AI computing capabilities.

Qualcomm has also established an engineering office alongside HUMAIN, with teams working on joint development and engineering projects.

Chourbaji said Saudi Arabia’s lower energy costs, land availability and renewable energy potential could support the Kingdom’s emergence as a major global AI data center market.

The fifth edition of LEAP 2026 runs from 31 August to 3 September at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh.

The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 global speakers and experts, 1,800 technology companies, 600 startups and 1,900 investors and venture capital representatives, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a hub for technology and innovation.

The Conference is organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and Tahaluf, backed by Informa and the Events Investment Fund.