Abu Dhabi, UAE — In a major boost to the UAE’s ambition to become a global technology powerhouse, Qualcomm Technologies has announced the establishment of a Global Engineering Center in Abu Dhabi. The center will focus on advancing next-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), data center innovation, and the industrial Internet of Things (IoT).
This strategic initiative is part of a broader collaboration between Qualcomm and UAE-based digital conglomerate e& (formerly Etisalat Group). The partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation across key economic sectors such as energy, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and smart mobility, leveraging cutting-edge edge-computing and AI capabilities.
The engineering center will serve as a hub for research, development, and deployment of edge AI solutions, allowing devices to process data locally, reduce latency, and improve real-time decision-making. This is especially critical for industries that rely on automation, robotics, and predictive analytics.
The move aligns with the UAE’s broader technological agenda, including its collaboration with the United States to build the world’s largest AI infrastructure project in Abu Dhabi—a 10-square-mile AI campus powered by 1 to 5 gigawatts of energy.
“The opening of this center is a strategic leap for the region’s digital ecosystem,” said a spokesperson from e&. “It not only supports national digital goals but also places the UAE at the forefront of global innovation in AI and advanced connectivity.”
This investment underscores the UAE’s growing role as a strategic hub for global technology firms, attracting talent and innovation while strengthening its digital economy. It also builds on Qualcomm’s global vision of connecting everything—intelligently—and enabling a new era of intelligent edge computing.
