In the context of intensifying global technology competition, Qualcomm has ushered in an important personnel change: Dr. Baaziz Achour will succeed Dr. James Thompson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Qualcomm Technologies on February 3, 2025. This change highlights Qualcomm's strategic intention in the future technology layout, especially in the field of 6G and artificial intelligence (AI).
Background and Contribute of Baaziz Achour
Dr. Baaziz Achour joined Qualcomm in 1993, initially as a systems engineer and was promoted to deputy chief technology officer in 2023. He has played a key role in the development of wireless communication technologies, particularly in accelerating the release of 5G networks. As a key member of the leadership team, Dr. Achour will lead cellular technology into the new era of 6G.
Dr. Achour has an extensive academic and practical background. He graduated from the University of Algiers with a bachelor's degree in physics and received his master's and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Tufts University, USA. He is the holder of 24 granted U.S. wireless communications patents covering a wide range of communications technology areas, demonstrating his deep heritage in innovation and technology applications.
The development trend of 6G technology and Qualcomm's strategic layout
6G technology is currently the top priority of global scientific and technological innovation. According to the standardization timeline released by 3GPP, the first technical specification (R21 version) of the 6G standard has been launched in 2023, and it is expected to enter the commercial trial stage in 2028, and finally complete full standardization in 2030. This technology will drive a leap forward in communication capabilities and provide technical support for the Internet of Things, large-scale machine communication, and ultra-low latency scenarios.
Qualcomm's long-term investment in the field of 6G has begun to bear fruit, and the company's cutting-edge wireless technology research is laying a solid foundation for 6G. Lorenzo Casaccia, vice president of technical standards at Qualcomm, has pointed out that 6G is the top priority of standardization efforts in the next 5 to 10 years. Qualcomm's explorations in millimeter wave, terahertz communications, and network virtualization have further strengthened its industry leadership.
Pictured: Qualcomm foucus on 6G and AI
The application of AI technology and the layout of Qualcomm
AI technology has become an important engine for the development of modern technology, from smart devices to autonomous driving, medical and health care, and other fields, the penetration rate of AI is remarkable. Qualcomm uses technologies such as the Snapdragon AI Engine to promote the popularization of AI computing on the device side, bringing users a more efficient and intelligent device experience.
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona 2023, Qualcomm showcased its latest achievements in the field of AI, including the launch of the Qualcomm AI Hub and the latest edge AI solutions. These technologies not only increase the computing power of devices, but also support smart home, smart city, and industrial automation scenarios. Qualcomm is also exploring the potential of generative AI, such as running lightweight large language models on the device side to provide consumers with a more convenient interactive experience.
Qualcomm's technology strategy and patent data
Qualcomm's continuous investment in 5G, AI and automotive electronics has made it a global leader in patent reserves and technical strength. As of 2024, Qualcomm has applied for more than 32,000 patents, of which more than 18,800 have been granted. These patents cover a number of key areas such as wireless communications, chip design, and network architecture.
Among them, Qualcomm's new patent makes revolutionary progress in the field of uplink (SUL) configuration. This technology significantly improves communication efficiency and network performance by optimizing data transmission between user equipment and base stations. These innovations not only strengthen Qualcomm's technological competitiveness in existing communication standards, but also lay the technical foundation for future 6G standards.
Qualcomm's expansion in automotive electronics and the Internet of Things
In addition to communication technology, Qualcomm's layout in the field of automotive electronics is also worth paying attention to. Its Snapdragon Ride platform has become an important technology solution in the field of autonomous driving, supporting in-vehicle computing, sensor fusion, and path planning. In addition, Qualcomm's IoT solutions are helping enterprises achieve digital transformation, covering a wide range of scenarios, from smart factories to retail terminals.
The strategic significance of Qualcomm's new leadership
Dr. Baaziz Achour's appointment not only marks a new generation of Qualcomm management, but also heralds a shift in the company's future technology strategy. Under his leadership, Qualcomm is expected to pay more attention to the in-depth research and development of 6G and AI, and accelerate technological innovation. This transformation strategy is in line with the trend of global technology development, especially in the context of the rapid convergence of communication and intelligent computing, Qualcomm's strategic adjustment will keep it ahead of the competition.
Conclusion
Qualcomm welcomes its new CTO, Dr. Baaziz Achour, as it moves toward the 6G and AI era. Through long-term technology investment and forward-looking strategic planning, Qualcomm has not only consolidated its leadership position in the field of wireless communications, but also paved the way for leapfrog development in the field of AI and the Internet of Things. In the future, Dr. Achour's leadership and Qualcomm's technological innovation are expected to drive the entire technology industry into a new growth cycle.
