Qualcomm, KAUST Team Up on 6G and AI in Saudi Arabia

Qualcomm Technologies International and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have announced a strategic collaboration in Saudi Arabia to strengthen the Kingdom's leadership in sixth-generation (6G) wireless and artificial intelligence. The partnership focuses on research and talent development aligned with national priorities to build a local 6G and AI innovation ecosystem.

The collaboration spans five main areas. These include skills and curriculum support in 5G, 6G, and AI for students and professionals; applied research in autonomous systems, Edge AI, 6G wireless, and wireless-enabled sensing; commercialization and startup pathways to help Saudi-based startups bring 5G/6G and AI technologies to market; intellectual property education to turn research into patents; and workforce development through internships and early-career opportunities with Qualcomm for KAUST students.

As part of the agreement, KAUST students gain access to industry-led training in 5G wireless and AI via the Qualcomm Academy e-learning platform, covering AI fundamentals, generative AI, Edge AI, and on-device AI development. The two sides have also launched applied research projects in 6G wireless, next-generation autonomous systems, Edge AI, and wireless-enabled sensing, hosted at KAUST's research facilities in the Kingdom.

Why it matters

Qualcomm is working with KAUST to support the development of 6G technologies in Saudi Arabia, with a commercial deployment target around 2029 and a focus on integrating AI into network design and operations. The collaboration is embedded in KAUST's broader role in the Kingdom's 6G ambitions, including work on Free-Space Optical communications and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces seen as essential for future 5G/6G infrastructure.

For residents and the wider tech community, the initiative signals expanding local opportunities in advanced connectivity and AI, from training and internships to startup support — building homegrown expertise that could shape the next generation of digital services across the Kingdom.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving