Qualcomm Hopes to Boost AI App Development By Making Its Models Available to Developers

Qualcomm makes its AI models available to app developers, empowering them to create AI-enabled applications that harness the capabilities of the company’s powerful Hexagon neural processing unit (NPU) in its Snapdragon X Elite platforms.

Simplifying AI development for Snapdragon X Elite: Qualcomm has made its trained AI models, optimized for the 45 TOPS Hexagon NPU, accessible to registered software developers through its AI Hub:

• The AI Hub offers a variety of models for tasks such as image classification, object detection, semantic segmentation, and generative AI, which can be easily deployed in applications like vision, audio, and speech.
• Developers can filter models by tags and access detailed examples and code snippets to streamline the development process and ensure smooth deployment on Snapdragon X Elite-based devices.

Catalyzing demand for AI-powered PCs: By providing optimized AI models, Qualcomm aims to accelerate the creation of AI-enabled applications that leverage the capabilities of its Snapdragon X Elite processors:

• The company expects this move to drive demand for PCs based on its SoCs within a year, as more AI-powered applications become available.
• Qualcomm’s focus on AI during the Snapdragon X Elite announcement underscores its belief that AI will be a key selling point for PCs in 2024.

Gaining a competitive edge: Making hardware-optimized models available ensures that AI programs will run most effectively on Snapdragon X Elite platforms, giving Qualcomm an advantage over competitors:

• AMD and Intel are also set to introduce new CPUs with high-performance NPUs for AI PCs, intensifying the competition in this emerging market segment.
• By providing developers with the tools to create AI applications that perform best on its hardware, Qualcomm seeks to differentiate itself and establish a strong position in the AI PC market.

Broader implications: Qualcomm’s move to open up its AI models to developers signifies the growing importance of AI in the PC industry and the company’s strategic focus on this area:

• As AI becomes an increasingly critical feature in PCs, chip makers are vying to offer the most compelling hardware and software ecosystem to attract developers and consumers.
• Qualcomm’s decision to make its AI models more accessible demonstrates its commitment to fostering an AI-centric software ecosystem around its Snapdragon X Elite platform, which could help it gain market share in the PC segment.
• The availability of optimized AI models and tools could accelerate the development of innovative AI applications, driving the adoption of AI-powered PCs and transforming the computing landscape in the coming years.